Tehran: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced that starting next year, Pakistani pilgrims will be required to travel to Iraq exclusively through registered Zaireen Group Organizers, rather than individually. This announcement was made during a trilateral conference involving the Interior Ministers of Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq held in Tehran.

According to Radio Pakistan, the registration process for these Zaireen Group Organizers has already begun. These groups will be tasked with ensuring the safe return of pilgrims traveling to Iraq. Naqvi further mentioned that only those individuals who have been issued a special visa by the embassy will be allowed to travel independently.

Naqvi highlighted that the group organizer system is designed to eliminate unauthorized travel to Iraq and reduce incidents of overstaying. He stated that Iraq and Iran are in full agreement with Pakistan's new system and emphasized their mutual commitment to curbing irregular travel and overstays. He also assured his counterparts of Pakistan's full cooperation in matters related to the Zaireen.

Naqvi expressed his gratitude towards the governments of Iraq and Iran for their ongoing care and support of Pakistani pilgrims. The conference participants agreed to take all necessary measures to facilitate Zaireen traveling to Iran and Iraq.

Additionally, it was decided that a joint working group, comprising representatives from all three countries, would be established to streamline and support the pilgrimage process.