Islamabad: Iraq has pledged to provide optimal facilities to Pakistani pilgrims, as stated during a meeting between Iraq’s Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta and key Pakistani officials, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the discussions focused on improving the pilgrimage experience for Pakistanis visiting Iraq. Topics included the provision of free-of-cost entry visas and an increase in the quota of Pakistani pilgrims. Interior Minister Naqvi expressed a strong desire to double the current pilgrim quota this year to facilitate more travelers.

During the meeting, Ambassador Lafta presented a list of travel agents accused of overcharging pilgrims. Minister Naqvi assured immediate action against these agents to prevent exploitation of pilgrims. Additionally, the officials agreed to expedite the finalization of a visa waiver agreement for diplomatic and official passports and to sign Memoranda of Understanding between the Pakistani Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and the Iraqi Ministry of Labor to further bilateral cooperation.