Pakistan is set to ban solo travel by persecuted Shia Muslims to Iraq for religious pilgrimages, starting January 1, 2026. The move, announced by Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, came after meetings with his counterparts from Iran and Iraq. Thousands of Pakistani Shia travel annually to Iraq and Iran for religious pilgrimages, with many overstaying their visas.

While the new policy specifically targets solo travel to Iraq, the move is likely to impact a significant number of pilgrims who visit Iraq’s holy sites, which drew 21.5 million visitors annually in 2024, including many who first complete their pilgrimage in Iran before continuing onward to Iraq.

While Iraq has a significant chunk of Shias in its population, Iran is a Shia powerhouse. In Sunni-majority Pakistan, Shias face sectarian discrimination and violence.

The Shias of debt-ridden Pakistan are the world’s second-largest Shia community after that of Iran, comprising only 10-15 percent of the Islamic Republic’s population, but face significant challenges including sectarian violence, discrimination, and political disenfranchisement. Some also flee because of lack of economic opportunities or fragile security situation.

GROUP TRAVEL MANDATORY FOR PAK SHIA PILGRIMS HEADING TO IRAQ

The policy shift would mandate that Pakistani Shia pilgrims, referred to as “zaireen”, travel to Iraq only under the supervision of registered group organisers, reported Riyadh-based daily, Arab News.

“From January 1, 2026, we will not be allowing any Pakistani to leave for Iraq without the zaireen [pilgrims] group organiser, which means that we will register people who will be allowed to take the groups to Iraq,” Naqvi said.

“The new group-based travel system aims to curb illegal entries and extended stays,” Naqvi added, revealing that Iraq and Iran have fully endorsed the new framework.

The organisers of the tours will now be responsible for ensuring all pilgrims return, addressing concerns about illegal overstays.

Only those granted special visas by the Iraqi embassy will be exempt from this requirement, reported the Karachi-based GeoNews.

SOME PAK PILGRIMS TAKE UP ILLEGAL WORK, STAY BEYOND VISA TERMS IN IRAQ

The decision to bar Shia Muslims from travelling to Iraq alone stems from Pakistan’s efforts to address the issue of pilgrims overstaying their visas in Iraq, which has at times strained diplomatic relations and affected Pakistan’s reputation.

“The people who are overstaying there, the people who have started working there, we need to stop this,” Naqvi said, calling for cooperation from Iran and Iraq to enforce the new rule.

Thousands of Pakistani Shia Muslims travel annually to Iraq and Iran to visit sacred sites, such as those in Najaf and Karbala, particularly during the 40-day-long Arbaeen.

Some pilgrims reportedly remain in Iraq illegally and refrain from going back. Some take up unauthorised work and keep living illegally.

VISA ABUSE BY PAKISTANIS ON RISE, EVEN AIRLINE CREW DISAPPEARED IN CANADA

Illegal migration from debt-ridden Pakistan is not confined to economically distressed neighbours or culturally close countries like Iraq and Iran, but extends even to affluent nations such as Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia, a traditional destination for Pakistani migrants, has repeatedly raised alarms over Pakistani nationals overstaying visas and engaging in unauthorised activities, including begging. In December 2024, Saudi Arabia deported 4,700 Pakistani beggars in one go.

In April 2025, Saudi Arabia imposed a temporary visa ban on 14 countries, including Pakistan, to curb unauthorised Hajj participation and overstays. In May, Saudi Arabia deported 5,033 Pakistani beggars, reported the Pakistani English daily, Dawn.

The issue of illegal migration out of Pakistan extends beyond the Middle East. Even in countries like Canada, Pakistani nationals, including seemingly well-placed individuals, have been involved in visa violations. In 2024, several Pakistani airline crew members disappeared after arriving in Canada.

The move follows repeated concerns from Iraq, Iran, and other host countries like Saudi Arabia, where Pakistani nationals have entered on valid visas but overstayed and engaged in unauthorised economic activities.

– Ends