Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain rejected reports circulating in a section of the media regarding the disappearance of 50,000 Pakistani pilgrims in Iraq.

In a statement on Saturday, he clarified that he did not make any such statement during a Senate committee meeting and described such claims as entirely “false and misleading.”

Last month, the Middle East Eye made such claims.

Pakistani pilgrims travel to Iraq for religious pilgrimage, or Ziarat, through private operators, Salik said and added that the ministry was working to enhance the facilitation process for the pilgrims and ensure their safety and well-being during their spiritual journey.

The minister urged media outlets to verify facts before publishing such reports and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of Pakistani pilgrims abroad.

Earlier this week, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta agreed to initiate a crackdown on agents charging excessive fees from pilgrims.

They 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.