Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta met with Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Overseas Pakistanis Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain Sunday.
During the meeting, Ambassador Lafta presented a list of travel agents who have been charging excessive fees to visitors.
Minister Naqvi assured that action would be taken against these agents within a week. The meeting focused on providing maximum facilities to pilgrims traveling to Iraq, including the possibility of fee-free entry visas and increasing the quota of visitors.
Minister Naqvi highlighted that millions of Pakistanis visit Iraq for pilgrimage each year, facing particular challenges during the months of Muharram and Safar. He appealed for the quota of Pakistani visitors to be doubled and requested that passports not be taken from Pakistani visitors upon entry into Iraq.
Iraqi ambassador assured full cooperation in resolving these issues and agreed to finalize a visa waiver agreement for diplomatic and official passports soon. An important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also agreed upon between the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and the Ministry of Labor of Iraq.
Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain stated that the MoU would facilitate Pakistani citizens in obtaining work permits in Iraq, thereby reducing instances of illegal entry and stay. The Iraqi ambassador also extended an invitation to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Agreement on finalizing a visa waiver for diplomatic and official passports.An MoU between the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and the Ministry of Labor of Iraq was agreed upon to ease work permit processes for Pakistani citizens.
