Islamabad:
A special task force formed to tackle the questions of pilgrims traveling to Iran and Iraq decided on Friday that from January 1, 2026, a new system for group organizers will be implemented and the existing Salar system will be completely interrupted.
From January 1, 2026, only registered groups are allowed to arrange pilgrimage, a statement sent after the meeting.
The meeting was held under the Presidency of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The Federal Minister of Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, federal minister of overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain and prime minister of interior Talal Chaudhry also attended the meeting.
The FIA and other relevant agencies have been asked to take all the necessary steps to prevent illegal travel to Iraq under the guise of pilgrimage.
So far, 1,413 applications have been received for registration of group organizers and the control process is ongoing.
The Civil Aviation Authority informed that the number of weekly flights to Iran has been increased from 6 to 15, while 107 special flights have been arranged for Iraq under the arbae.
