ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi met the Iraqi Ambassador Dr. Ali Yassin Mohammed Karim to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Friday, and raised with him the issues faced by Pakistani Zaireen in obtaining Iraqi visas for Arbaeen (Pakistani Zaireen in Iraq).
While appreciating the Iraqi government’s efforts in facilitating rising number of Zaireen from Pakistan, he expressed concern over the reports of a large number of Pakistanis still waiting for issuance of Iraqi visas while Arbaeen is only 10 days away.
Highlighting the inconvenience and disappointment faced by Ziareen, the foreign minister drew attention of the ambassador to the fact that many of them travel by road and will not be able to perform Ziarat this year due to inordinate delay.
The foreign minister flagged the need for urgent streamlining of the visa procedures and placing them on the Embassy’s website along with the list of authorized travel agents, for the convenience of visa applicants.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi assured the Iraqi ambassador of the full support and cooperation of the government of Pakistan in ensuring that all Zaireen return to Pakistan after performing Ziarat.
FM met Ambassador of #Iraq in #Pakistan to share his concerns over non-issuance of visas to Pakistani Zaireen, aspiring to visit Iraq for Arbaeen. The Ambassador assured FM of maximum cooperation from Iraqi side for issuance of visas in transparent manner . pic.twitter.com/qaVJcslck7
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) October 19, 2018
Envoy assures full support to help Pakistani Zaireen in Iraq
Ali Yassin Mohammed Karim assured the foreign minister of maximum cooperation and support of Embassy of Iraq in processing of all visa requests well within time and in a transparent manner. He also said that the backlog of visa applications for Arbaeen will be cleared within next few days; however, the applicants may ensure submission of complete applications.
It was also decided that a meeting of 12 registered tourist companies will be convened today at 1600 hrs in Iraqi Embassy in the presence of Additional Secretary (Middle East) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to identify, discuss and resolve the visa problems of the Zairean.
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