Islamabad
\nThe Government of Pakistan is introducing a new, centralized system for organizing pilgrimages to the holy sites in Iran and Iraq, announced Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, during a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday. He emphasized that the existing, outdated system will soon be phased out, and companies interested in organizing pilgrimages must register with the ministry immediately.
\nThe minister stated that the federal cabinet has approved the new framework for Zaireen Group Organizers (ZGOs), and accordingly, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has already issued a public notice. Over 1,400 companies have submitted applications to register as ZGOs so far. Among them, 585 companies that have cleared the security vetting process have been instructed to complete their online registration through the Ministry\u2019s official website and submit the required documents by July 31.
\nHe further noted that the ministry has published another advertisement inviting fresh applications. Companies wishing to work as Zaireen Group Organizers can apply until August 10.
\nResponding to a question, Minister sardar Yousaf clarified that managing the affairs of Zaireen, like Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, falls under the purview of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Previously, there was no formal structure for Pakistanis traveling to Iran, Iraq, and Syria for religious purposes. Although a system for organizing Zaireen was approved in 2021, little progress was made during the previous administration. However, under the directive of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the implementation of the Zaireen Management Policy has now been accelerated.
\n\u201cJust as Hajj pilgrims travel through licensed Hajj tour operators, Zaireen will also travel only through registered ZGOs,\u201d the minister explained. He added that like Hajj operators, ZGOs will be required to provide cost packages for pilgrims. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Secretary for Religious Affairs Dr. Syed Ata ur Rehman are currently in Iran for a trilateral meeting with Iranian and Iraqi authorities to integrate the pilgrimage process into a modern, computerized tracking system.
\nMinister sardar Yousaf also highlighted a critical issue: around 40,000 Pakistani Zaireen have remained in Iraq, Syria, and Iran in recent years. \u201cIf the government had a proper record, we would know where each pilgrim went,\u201d he said.
\nThe governments of Iran, Iraq, and Syria have previously raised this concern with Pakistan as well, underlining the need for a formal and accountable structure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad The Government of Pakistan is introducing a new, centralized system for organizing pilgrimages to the holy sites in Iran and Iraq, announced Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, during a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday. He emphasized that the existing, outdated system will soon be phased out, and companies interested in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":490522,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-490508","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n