Starting January 1, 2026, Pakistani pilgrims will no longer be allowed to travel to Iraq individually. The new rule requires all pilgrims to join registered group organizers approved by the government. This change was announced during a trilateral conference held in Tehran between the interior ministers of Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq.
The focus of the meeting was to improve travel arrangements for religious pilgrims visiting sacred sites in Iraq and Iran. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the new policy, stressing the need to ensure safety and proper monitoring of pilgrim movements. He noted that only those who receive a special visa directly from the Iraqi embassy will be allowed to travel independently.
According to Naqvi, the new system for Pakistani pilgrims Iraq group travel is designed to prevent illegal stays and unregulated entry. Iraq and Iran have agreed to support Pakistan in implementing this group-based travel model.
A joint working group will be formed to handle operational matters. The goal is to provide smooth travel experiences during major religious events like Arbaeen. Millions of pilgrims from Pakistan, especially those associated with the Pakistan Pilgrims Society, travel each year for religious purposes.
Minister Naqvi thanked Iran for hosting the conference and highlighted the strong ties between the three nations. He also praised the efforts of Iraq’s Ministry of Interior and various Iraq travel agencies in handling the large number of visitors.
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting all pilgrim-related initiatives and mentioned ongoing coordination on the Iraq pilgrimage visa from Pakistan.
The conference was attended by top officials from all three countries. These included Iranian and Iraqi interior officials, Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, and senior security representatives.
This shift to group travel aims to bring better organization, safety, and accountability for future pilgrimages to Iraq.
