ISLAMABAD: Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta met with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Overseas Pakistanis Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain.

During meeting, Ambassador Lafta presented list of travel agents who have been charging excessive fees to visitors. Minister Naqvi assured that action would be taken against these agents within week. Meeting focused on providing maximum facilities to pilgrims traveling to Iraq, including possibility of fee-free entry visas and increasing quota of visitors. Minister Naqvi highlighted that millions of Pakistanis visit Iraq for pilgrimage each year, facing particular challenges during months of Muharram and Safar. He appealed for quota of Pakistani visitors to be doubled and requested that passports not be taken from Pakistani visitors upon entry into Iraq.Iraqi ambassador assured full cooperation in resolving these issues and agreed to finalise visa waiver agreement for diplomatic and official passports soon. An important Memorandum of Understanding was also agreed upon between Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Ministry of Labour of Iraq. Salik Hussain stated that MoU would facilitate Pakistani citizens in obtaining work permits in Iraq, thereby reducing instances of illegal entry and stay. Iraqi ambassador also extended an invitation to further strengthen bilateral relations. Agreement on finalising visa waiver for diplomatic and official passports.An MoU between Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Ministry of Labour of Iraq was agreed upon to ease work permit processes for Pakistani citizens.