Pakistan, Iraq decide to identify, resolve visa problems of Zaireen

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi met the Ambassador of Iraq, Dr. Ali Yasin Mohammed Karim in Islamabad on Friday and raised with him the issues faced by Pakistani Zaireen in obtaining Iraqi visas for Arbaeen.

While appreciating the Iraqi government’s efforts in facilitating rising number of Zaireen from Pakistan, the Foreign Minister expressed concern over the reports of a large number of Pakistanis still waiting for issuance of Iraqi visas while Arbaeen is only ten days away.

Highlighting the inconvenience and disappointment faced by Ziareen, the Foreign Minister drew attention of the Ambassador to the fact that many of them travel by road and will not be able to perform ziarat this year due to inordinate delay.

It was also decided that a meeting of twelve registered tourist companies will be convened today in Iraqi Embassy in the presence of Additional Secretary (Middle East) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to identify, discuss and resolve the visa problems of the Zaireen.