Minister clarifies over reports of Pakistani pilgrims missing in Iraq

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Saturday denied recent media reports suggesting the disappearance of 50,000 Pakistani pilgrims (Zaireen) in Iraq.

In a statement, Hussain clarified that he made no such statement during a recent Senate committee meeting, calling the reports “entirely false and misleading.”

The Minister explained that Pakistani pilgrims travel to Iraq for religious pilgrimages, known as Ziarat, primarily through private operators.

He maintained the Ministry is actively working towards improving the facilitation process for these pilgrims, ensuring their safety and well-being during their spiritual journey.

Minister Hussain reaffirmed the government’s dedication to safeguarding the interests of Pakistani pilgrims abroad, urging responsible media to prevent “unnecessary panic and misinformation.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan and Iraq on Wednesday unveiled a number of initiatives targeted at helping pilgrims visiting Iraq for Arbaeen.

The historic agreements were made on Wednesday after a high-level meeting between Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who pledged to facilitate and ease the path for thousands of devotees.

Both parties agreed that Pakistani pilgrims would no longer have to turn in their passports when they arrived in Iraq for Arbaeen, the Islamic celebration that takes place 40 days after Imam Hussain’s (RA) death on the 10th of Muharram, also known as Chehlum.