Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that pilgrims travelling to Iraq will not be allowed to stay beyond the permitted duration, and relevant institutions of both countries will remain in close coordination on this matter.
According to Interior Ministry sources, Mohsin Naqvi made these remarks during an important meeting in Brussels with his Iraqi counterpart, General Abdul Amir Al-Shammari. The meeting included detailed discussions on bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iraq, as well as measures to facilitate pilgrims. Both sides also agreed to enhance cooperation between the two interior ministries on a sustainable and effective basis.
According to reports, the Iraqi Interior Minister appreciated Pakistan’s initiative to formally organize and regulate pilgrim groups for the first time, calling the move commendable. He said all pilgrims included in the list provided by Pakistan’s Interior Ministry would be allowed to enter Iraq.
Both interior ministers also agreed to strengthen security cooperation, counterterrorism efforts, and mechanisms for information sharing to prevent human smuggling. Mohsin Naqvi expressed gratitude to the Iraqi government and people for their strong support and traditional hospitality extended to Pakistani pilgrims. He reaffirmed that the safety, dignity, and facilitation of Pakistani pilgrims is the top priority of the Government of Pakistan.
The Iraqi Interior Minister stated that he would soon visit Pakistan to finalize a joint roadmap aimed at further improving pilgrim facilitation, enhancing security cooperation, and strengthening bilateral ties.
This development comes following Mohsin Naqvi’s meeting in Brussels with Magnus Brunner, the European Union Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, during which both sides discussed steps to curb illegal migration, combat human smuggling, and enhance bilateral cooperation.
