THE trilateral conference in Tehran between the Interior Ministers of Pakistan, Iran and Iraq marks a major milestone for the facilitation of Zaireen.
This diplomatic engagement deserves commendation for its forward-looking vision, aimed at ensuring the safety, dignity and ease of hundreds of thousands of Zaireen who annually visit Iran and Iraq to pay homage at holy sites.
The establishment of a joint working group to coordinate operational matters is a particularly welcome development. With the sheer scale of religious gatherings like Arbaeen, this institutional coordination is essential. Perhaps the most transformative policy shift, however, is the decision that Pakistani Zaireen will, from January 1, 2026, only be allowed to visit Iraq through registered group organizers, with special visa exemptions available only under specific circumstances. This new framework is designed to eliminate illegal entries, prevent overstay issues and ensure the Zaireen’s safety. By holding group organizers responsible not only for outbound travel but also for the safe return of Zaireen, a crucial layer of accountability has been added. This can significantly reduce the hardships that individual travelers often face. However, while this policy is a step in the right direction, its effective implementation demands strict oversight. There must be a comprehensive monitoring mechanism in place to regulate and review the performance of these registered group organizers. A transparent system of registration, compliance audits and feedback channels should be developed — ideally led by Ministry of Religious Affairs in collaboration with the Interior Ministry and diplomatic missions. Moreover, while air and road travel currently dominate the routes to Iran and Iraq, it is high time to think beyond conventional transport means. A regional train service connecting Pakistan to Iran and onward to Iraq via land could revolutionize the experience for thousands of Zaireen, especially those who cannot afford expensive air travel. Such a service would not only ease congestion on roads and borders but also provide a more affordable and secure option for the common man. In fact, the proposal should be extended into a long-term vision: establish a regular train corridor among the three countries to strengthen people-to-people contact, religious tourism and commercial connectivity. With geopolitical alignment and diplomatic resolve now clearly visible, the groundwork is ideal for such infrastructural initiatives.
