Minister demands Iraq to review Arbaeen visa policy for Pakistan

Minister demands Iraq to review Arbaeen visa policy for Pakistan amid widespread complaints and protest against discriminating policy.

MQM Pakistan leader demands

In this regard, Federal Minister and MQM Coordination Committee head Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui also issued a statement.

Notably, he pointed to the fact that at least 200,000 Zaireen could not go to Karbala pilgrimage on Arbaeen.

Siddiqui asks PM and FM

Furthermore, Dr Khalid Maqbool also asked Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Qureshi to talk to Iraqi government on the matter.

However, he urged d the Iraqi government to reconsider their different policy for Pakistani Zaireen.

Minister demands Iraq to review Arbaeen visa policy for Pakistan

Meanwhile, MWM leader sends letter to Iraqi PM on Arbaeen visa problems amid widespread complaints from Pakistani Zaireen (pilgrims). Besides, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafari also directed Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Foreign Affairs head Allama Shafqat Shirazi in this regard.

On directives of MWM Pakistan secretary general, Allama Shafqat also interacted with Iraqi parliamentarians.  Moreover, he briefed them on Pakistani Zaireen’s problems in getting approved visas.

Furthernore, MWM Political Affairs head Asad Abbas Naqvi contacted special assistant to the Prime Minister Zulfi Bukhari. The latter also assured that he would leave no stone unturned to address the problem.

Most importantly, Pakistanis go to pilgrimage of sacred shrines. Although they regularly visit shrines of infallible Imams of Shia Islam, yet 20th Safar remains reserved for pilgrimage of Karbala.

Notably, Zaireen (pilgrims) regularly visit holy shrines of infallible Imams of Shia Islam in Iraq, Iran and Medina .  But, they commemorate anniversary of 40th day (Arbaeen in Arabic and Chehlum in Urdu) of martyrdom anniversary of Ashura on 20th Safar.

Factually, Ashura too remains a special day of scared mourn in Shia Islam. That’s because of matchless martyrdoms of Imam Hussain-led Martyrs of Karbala. However, infallible leaders of Shia Islam had emphasised on pilgrimage of sacred shrine of Imam Hussain on Arbaeen.

Hence, Shia Muslims try their level best to reach Karbala (Iraq) on 20th Safar.