Pakistan Lacks Data on Missing Pilgrims in Iraq, Iran, and Syria

Islamabad: Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, the Minister for Religious Affairs, stated that the Pakistani government lacks records for approximately 40,000 Pakistani pilgrims who have not returned from Iraq, Iran, and Syria in recent years.

During a press briefing, the minister elaborated that these Pakistani pilgrims have remained in Iraq, Syria, and Iran over the past few years. He noted, “If the government maintained an accurate record, we would have insight into each pilgrim’s whereabouts.”

The governments of Iran, Iraq, and Syria have previously voiced this concern to Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of a structured and accountable framework.

The minister explained that, historically, Pakistani pilgrims traveled to Iraq, Syria, and Iran either independently or within unofficial groups. There was no formal registration or monitoring system in place within these countries. This situation, he added, caused insecurity for the pilgrims, and the respective countries raised concerns.

To address this, Pakistan has implemented a centralized system for arranging pilgrimages to holy sites in Iran and Iraq through designated group organizers.

The current system will be phased out soon, and companies that wish to organize pilgrimages must register with the ministry promptly.

The federal cabinet has sanctioned the updated framework for Zaireen Group Organizers (ZGOs). Consequently, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued a public notice. To date, over 1,400 companies have applied for ZGO registration.

Yousaf also mentioned that the Pakistani government has formally requested Saudi Arabia to increase the country’s Hajj quota from the present 179,000. He argued that, based on the population size, Pakistan’s quota should be 230,000.