ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (ophrd) is formulating a plan to facilitate the issuance of work permits for Pakistani citizens in Iraq.
To this end, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) will soon be signed between the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and the Iraqi Ministry of Labour. This issue was discussed during a meeting between Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was also present at the meeting.
“The MoU will make it easier for Pakistani citizens to obtain work permits in Iraq. It will also increase legal immigration and reduce illegal entry into Iraq,” Mr. Salik said.
The interior minister assured the Iraqi ambassador of his full cooperation in resolving the issue of illegal Pakistani residents in Iraq.
The meeting focused on providing maximum facilities to pilgrims, including the issuance of free-of-cost entry visas and increasing the quota for Pakistani pilgrims.
Mr Naqvi assured the Iraqi envoy that action would be taken against travel agents who charged extra fees to pilgrims. He noted that each year, hundreds of thousands of Pakistani pilgrims visit Iraq but face various issues, especially during the months of Muharram and Safar.
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He emphasized that the government is working to provide maximum facilities for these pilgrims, and if the Iraqi government permits free-of-charge entry visas, it would greatly benefit them.
The interior minister also requested the Iraqi government to double the quota for Pakistani pilgrims this year and to waive the passport submission requirement for Pakistani pilgrims entering Iraq, as this requirement causes problems for them on their return.
The Iraqi ambassador agreed to fully cooperate in this regard to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims. He also provided a list of travel agents who had charged extra fees to pilgrims. The interior minister assured that strict action would be taken against these travel agents within a week.
During the meeting, both sides also agreed to finalize an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders soon.
