Stop Restricting Pakistani Pilgrims Under 50 – Allow Equal Access to Ziyarat in Iraq
Stop Restricting Pakistani Pilgrims Under 50 – Allow Equal Access to Ziyarat in Iraq
The Issue
The Government of Iraq, The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Pakistan, The Ministry of Religious Affairs, Pakistan and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan
We, the undersigned Pakistani citizens, religious communities, and supporters of freedom of worship, express our deep concern regarding the recent policy introduced by the Government of Iraq, which states that Pakistani pilgrims under the age of 50 cannot travel for ziyarat without their families.
Why This Matters:
Sacred shrines in Karbala, Najaf, Samarra, and Kadhimayn hold immense spiritual, cultural, and historical significance for millions of Pakistanis.
This restriction unfairly prevents thousands of youth, students, low-income individuals, and single travelers from fulfilling their religious duties.
Instead of strengthening security and order, this policy creates unnecessary barriers and undermines the historical brotherhood between Iraq and Pakistan.
Security Concerns Are Understandable, But There Are Better Solutions:
We recognize that Iraq faces challenges such as human trafficking, illegal entry, and visa misuse. However, these can be addressed through joint cooperation between Pakistan and Iraq, including:
✅ Biometric verification of pilgrims
✅ Stronger registration and documentation systems
✅ Monitoring of licensed travel operators
✅ Joint security task forces
Our Demands:
We respectfully call upon the Government of Iraq to:
Withdraw the restriction on Pakistani pilgrims under 50 traveling without families.
Ensure equal access to ziyarat for all pilgrims, regardless of age or family status.
Work with Pakistan to develop collaborative solutions that strengthen security without depriving pilgrims of their spiritual rights.
Our Appeal:
Ziyarat is not a luxury, it is a right. It is the spiritual lifeline of millions of believers. We urge Iraqi authorities, with the support of the Pakistani government, to immediately reconsider this policy.
📢 We call upon every concerned citizen to sign and share this petition. Together, we can protect the rights of pilgrims and keep the doors of the holy shrines open for all.
Ziyarat is a right for all, not a privilege for a few.
112
The Issue
The Government of Iraq, The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Pakistan, The Ministry of Religious Affairs, Pakistan and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan
We, the undersigned Pakistani citizens, religious communities, and supporters of freedom of worship, express our deep concern regarding the recent policy introduced by the Government of Iraq, which states that Pakistani pilgrims under the age of 50 cannot travel for ziyarat without their families.
Why This Matters:
Sacred shrines in Karbala, Najaf, Samarra, and Kadhimayn hold immense spiritual, cultural, and historical significance for millions of Pakistanis.
This restriction unfairly prevents thousands of youth, students, low-income individuals, and single travelers from fulfilling their religious duties.
Instead of strengthening security and order, this policy creates unnecessary barriers and undermines the historical brotherhood between Iraq and Pakistan.
Security Concerns Are Understandable, But There Are Better Solutions:
We recognize that Iraq faces challenges such as human trafficking, illegal entry, and visa misuse. However, these can be addressed through joint cooperation between Pakistan and Iraq, including:
✅ Biometric verification of pilgrims
✅ Stronger registration and documentation systems
✅ Monitoring of licensed travel operators
✅ Joint security task forces
Our Demands:
We respectfully call upon the Government of Iraq to:
Withdraw the restriction on Pakistani pilgrims under 50 traveling without families.
Ensure equal access to ziyarat for all pilgrims, regardless of age or family status.
Work with Pakistan to develop collaborative solutions that strengthen security without depriving pilgrims of their spiritual rights.
Our Appeal:
Ziyarat is not a luxury, it is a right. It is the spiritual lifeline of millions of believers. We urge Iraqi authorities, with the support of the Pakistani government, to immediately reconsider this policy.
📢 We call upon every concerned citizen to sign and share this petition. Together, we can protect the rights of pilgrims and keep the doors of the holy shrines open for all.
Ziyarat is a right for all, not a privilege for a few.
112
The Decision Makers
Petition created on 23 September 2025