Due to the personal efforts of Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistani pilgrims traveling to Iraq will be provided significant facilities. In a meeting with Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta at the Ministry of Interior, it was decided that the passports of Pakistani pilgrims traveling to Iraq by air will not be withheld. It was also decided in the meeting that instead of travel agents, the Iraqi Embassy will directly issue visas to pilgrims during the Arbaeen. Moreover, the quota for Pakistani pilgrims will be also increased and more visas be issued to Pakistani pilgrims this year than the last year. It was also agreed to operate special flights for pilgrims on the occasion of Arbaeen. Furthermore, it was also decided that in order to to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims, all matters related to reopening the Iraqi consulate in Karachi would be resolved today. Interior Minister assured that the Ministry of Interior would provide all possible cooperation in this regard. In order to abolish visa fees for Pakistani pilgrims on the occasion of Arbaeen, Federal Interior Minister will contact his Iraqi counterpart on telephone. During the meeting the repatriation of Pakistanis imprisoned in Iraq was also discussed. Interior Minister said that a Police Liaison Officer would be appointed in Iraq in this regard. He also assured that strict action would be taken against agents charging extra fees from the pilgrims. Both sides also agreed to finalize the agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders on priority basis. Federal Interior Minister thanked the Iraqi Interior Minister and the Iraqi Ambassador for the facilitation measures and said that the decision to not take the passports from pilgrims traveling by air would provide great relief to them. The Iraqi Ambassador said that it would be ensured that Pakistani pilgrims are being provided similar facilities which are being provided to the pilgrims from other countries. On behalf of the Iraqi Minister for Interior, the Iraqi Ambassador presented the invitation to Federal Minister for Interior to visit Iraq. Immediately, after the meeting with the Iraqi Ambassador, Federal Interior Minister contacted the Federal Minister for Aviation Khawaja Muhammad Asif and it was agreed to allow Iraqi Airlines to operate special flights from today. In this regard, Iraqi Airlines will be officially allowed to operate special flights from today. Likewise, PIA will also operate special flights to Iraq and its final schedule will be issued by tomorrow. During the meeting, provision of all possible facilities to Pakistani pilgrims as well as matters of mutual interest were discussed in detail. Federal Secretary Interior Khurram Ali Agha and Additional Secretary Interior Riffat Mukhtar Raja were also present in the meeting.
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