Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta announced a slew of measures, aimed at easing travel restrictions and enhancing convenience to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims travelling to Iraq for Arbaeen.

The decisions were reached during a meeting on Wednesday between the two sides who promised to make the journey more accessible for thousands of devotees.

Both sides agreed that Pakistani pilgrims travelling to Iraq for Arbaeen would no longer need to surrender their passports upon arrival. They decided that the Pakistani pilgrims would be issued visas by the Iraqi embassy, bypassing travel agents and the quota for Pakistan pilgrims would be increased.

It was also decided that special flights would be operating from Pakistan for pilgrims while a new consulate would be opened in Karachi and both sides initiate a crackdown on agents charging excessive fees from pilgrims. They also decided on a visa waiver agreement on diplomatic and official passports while it was requested for the visa fee waiver for the ordinary pilgrims.

The decisions aim to provide equal facilities to Pakistani pilgrims, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Naqvi thanked the Iraqi counterparts for their cooperation while Ambassador Lafta extended an invitation to visit Iraq.

Meanwhile, the interior minister secured approval from Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif to allow Iraqi airlines to operate special flights, with Pakistan International Airlines also set to announce its schedule soon.