The government of Iraq has introduced a new regulation concerning the travel of Pakistani religious pilgrims, with a particular focus on male visitors.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Pakistan, Iraqi authorities will no longer grant visas to male pilgrims under the age of 50 if they are traveling alone. The rule mandates that such individuals must be accompanied by their families in order to obtain entry for Ziaraat in Iraq.
This decision is seen as a significant shift in Iraq’s visa policy for pilgrims, which traditionally allowed men of varying ages to apply individually for travel. The statement issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs confirmed that the new directive is aimed at ensuring better management and regulation of religious tourism in the country.
It emphasized that “male pilgrims under the age of fifty (50) years must be accompanied by their families and shall not be permitted to travel alone for Ziaraat to Iraq.”
The ministry has pledged to guarantee “strict compliance” with the rule, ensuring that applications submitted from Pakistan adhere to the Iraqi government’s requirements.
The move is expected to impact a large number of younger Pakistani pilgrims who frequently travel to Iraq for religious visits to sacred sites such as Najaf and Karbala.
Although the Iraqi government has not explicitly stated the reasoning behind the new regulation, officials suggest it may be related to security concerns and the need to regulate large numbers of visitors, particularly ahead of major religious events and processions that draw millions of devotees from around the world.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs in Pakistan has advised citizens to carefully review and comply with the updated rules before planning travel. The regulation underscores Iraq’s efforts to implement stricter controls on pilgrimage inflows while maintaining smooth and secure arrangements for visitors.
