Important Letter From Pakistani Student in Iraq to Army Chief Syed Asim Munir Urges Action on Zaireen’s Issues

Shiite News: Syed Zahain Ali Najafi, a Pakistani religious student and volunteer serving pilgrims who has been living in Iraq for the past 14 years, has sent a detailed letter to Pakistan’s Army Chief, Hafiz Syed Asim Munir. In the letter, he highlighted serious difficulties faced by millions of Pakistani pilgrims traveling to the holy sites of Najaf Ashraf, Karbala-e-Mualla, Kazmain and Samarra, and called for these issues to be addressed through national priorities and an effective diplomatic strategy.

In his letter, Syed Zahain Ali Najafi reminded the Army Chief of his connection to the Sadat and to Hazrat Ali (AS), stating that pilgrims serve as Pakistan’s unofficial ambassadors abroad. He said that whenever they are treated improperly, it directly affects Pakistan’s national dignity as well as the self-respect of its citizens.

The letter called for urgent action at the state and diplomatic levels on several major issues:

Review of the 50-year age restriction: Restrictions imposed by Iraqi authorities on Pakistani male pilgrims aged under or over the age threshold of 50 have created serious difficulties for genuine pilgrims, according to the letter. It proposed replacing blanket age restrictions aimed at preventing illegal stays with administrative measures such as formal group registration, a verified visa system, guarantees of return within a specified period, and organized travel through responsible tour operators.

Passport confiscation and difficulties at airports: Pakistani pilgrims reportedly face additional and unnecessary difficulties at airports, including complaints that passports are being retained. The letter called for Pakistani passport holders who are law-abiding pilgrims to be treated with dignity and respect.

Restoration of overland pilgrimage routes: Because expensive air travel is beyond the reach of many low- and middle-income Pakistanis, the letter urged negotiations with the relevant countries to restore safe and organized overland pilgrimage routes through Iran.

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At the conclusion of the letter, Syed Zahain Ali Najafi offered his voluntary services to the State of Pakistan, stating that he is prepared to assist institutions without seeking any position or personal benefit, drawing on his 14 years of experience and knowledge of conditions on the ground. He sincerely appealed to the Army Chief to use his position and influence to help resolve these difficulties faced by pilgrims, saying that such action might appear to be an administrative achievement, but in reality could earn the prayers of millions of pilgrims and become a great source of reward in this world and the hereafter.