Iraq requests Pakistan to address illegal movement of workers 'disguised as pilgrims'

The Iraqi government has asked Pakistan to control the illegal movement of workers who move to the country "disguised as zaireen (pilgrims)".

This has been revealed in a letter shared with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) by Pakistan's embassy in Iraq.

In the letter, the Community Welfare Attache of Pakistan's embassy in Iraq informed that the Iraqi government has expressed serious concerns about the presence of a large number of illegal Pakistanis in the country.

As per the Iraqi Minister of Interior, last year on Arbaeen — an annual Shia pilgrimage — 100,000 Pakistanis entered Iraq. Unfortunately, only 26,000 returned to Pakistan.

"Around 50,000 illegal Pakistanis are present in different cities of Iraq and our illegal nationals are involved in beggary, theft, terrorism, murder, and human and drug trafficking," the letter states.

The letter also noted that three Pakistanis were awarded death sentences for killing an Iraqi policeman last month.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry regularly raises the issue of a large number of illegal Pakistanis in Iraq during all official interactions and requests that this illegal movement be stopped immediately, according to the letter.

They have also repeatedly requested that details of actions taken by the Pakistani government to control this illegal movement be shared

Pakistan's embassy also shared credentials of some tour agents who are sending Pakistanis abroad under false pretext of getting work in Iraq.

The letter asked FIA to take action and also shared the outcome with the embassy for onward communication to the Iraqi authorities.

As per SOPs for Pakistani pilgrims, upon arrival of a group from Pakistan, the representative of the local tourist company (counterpart of the Pakistani tourist company) receives them at the airport.

Their passports are retained at the airport by Mandoob and Iraqi Immigration authorities. After the pilgrimage is completed, the passports are returned at the airport and all the pilgrims fly back together.

Even if a pilgrim wants to leave early in case of an emergency, he cannot leave Iraq without his group.