Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) has issued a directive to pilgrimage tour operators to strictly enforce Iraqi visa conditions, following serious concerns raised by Baghdad over recent violations. The circular, released on Monday, highlights that Iraqi authorities have flagged instances where Pakistani individuals obtained visas as part of family groups but attempted to enter Iraq without the group, raising suspicions of unauthorized purposes.
Background of the Directive
Thousands of Shia Muslims from Pakistan travel annually to Iraq, Iran, and Syria for religious tourism, including pilgrimages to holy sites during Muharram and Arbaeen. The MoRA circular states that any violation of visa regulations may result in denial of entry, deportation, loss of visa fees, and other legal consequences. The ministry has instructed Ziyarat Group Organizers and licensed tour operators to ensure that visa applications are accurate and verifiable, and that travelers comply with the stated purpose of their visas.
Specific Restrictions and Penalties
The directive includes several specific measures: men below 50 years of age traveling alone will not be allowed to enter Iraq, and pilgrims are warned against using pilgrimage visas to seek employment. All religious travelers must have passports valid for at least six months from the date of travel. Upon entry, Iraqi authorities will retain pilgrims' passports, though holders of official and diplomatic passports are exempt. Pilgrimage visas are valid for 30 days and cannot be used for multiple religious occasions such as Ashura and Arbaeen.
Iraqi authorities have listed penalties for overstaying: up to Rs107,037 ($385) for overstays of up to 60 days, and detention and deportation for longer overstays. The circular warns that if the fine is not paid, detention will continue until full payment is made.
Recent Policy Changes
In July 2025, Pakistan abolished the decades-old Salar system, where private caravan leaders managed pilgrim travel to Iraq, Iran, and Syria. Under the new Ziyarat Management Policy, all religious pilgrimages must be arranged through licensed groups, with operators responsible for ensuring timely return. The government has warned that non-compliant firms may face license cancellation. This move followed official confirmation that around 40,000 Pakistani citizens had overstayed or gone missing in Iran, Iraq, and Syria over the past decade.
According to the ministry, the new measures aim to address Iraqi concerns and prevent abuse of pilgrimage visas. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to visa conditions to avoid penalties and maintain the integrity of religious travel programs.
