Pakistan, Iran and Iraq to set up a joint working group for the facilitation of pilgrims

Pakistan, Iran and Iraq have agreed to establish a joint working group to rationalize the travel provisions for pilgrims, following a trilateral conference of the interior ministers of the countries held in Tehran on Monday.

Interior Minister Mohin Naqvi, speaking at the meeting, thanked his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni for organizing the conference at the request of Pakistan, stressing the growing need to solve the problems encountered by pilgrims visiting Iran and Iraq.

“Pilgrims traveling to Iraq and Iran are of great importance for us,” he said. “This trilateral forum will open the way for improved facilities and support.”

Naqvi said that from January 1, 2026, Pakistani pilgrims will be authorized to go to Iraq only under the officially registered group organizers.

He said that the “Zaireen group organizers” registration process had started and that only individuals have granted special visas issued by the embassy will be allowed to travel independently.

“The organizers will be responsible for guaranteeing a sure return on pilgrims,” he said. “This system will help limit illegal trips and overcome problems.”

Naqvi also praised the Iraqi and Iranian governments for their efforts in the management of large crowds of pilgrims. “Taking care of millions of Zaireen is an important challenge, and the two interior ministers effectively fulfill this obligation,” he said.

He congratulated the leaders of Iran in recent hostilities, saying: “The supreme chief of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was held and led with courage. We congratulate him as well as the Iranian people for this victory. ”

Naqvi reiterated the support of Pakistan to Iran during his recent conflict with Israel. “Pakistan unequivocally condemned the attack on Iran and supported its right to self-defense,” he said, adding that the Pakistani people and the government were standing firmly alongside Iran.

The conference was also followed by the Iranian interior minister Ali Akbar Pour-Jamshidian, senior Iranian and Iraqi officials, the Pakistani ambassador to Iran Mohammad Mudassar Tipu, and the interior secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha.