ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ministry of religious affairs has completed security clearance of 585 companies seeking to organize pilgrimages to holy sites in Iran and Iraq, as authorities move to operationalize a new, tightly regulated travel regime, the ministry said on Tuesday.
According to a spokesperson, the ministry has begun scrutinizing applications for registration as Ziyarat Group Organizers (ZGOs), the only entities that will now be authorized to arrange pilgrimages under the restructured system.
“Security clearance of 585 companies has been completed,” the religious affairs ministry spokesman said in a statement.
“Registration certificates for pilgrimage companies that complete the required documentation are expected to be issued soon.”
The ministry said 95 new companies had submitted documents during the most recent extension period. Document submission from existing companies will continue until Aug. 31, while new firms can apply until Sept. 10.
The overhaul follows Islamabad’s decision last month to abolish the decades-old Salar system, in which private caravan leaders managed pilgrim travel. The move came after officials confirmed that around 40,000 Pakistani citizens had overstayed or gone missing in Iran, Iraq, and Syria over the past decade.
The government has also barred overland travel for this year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage, citing militant threats in the restive Balochistan province bordering Iran, meaning all journeys to Iraq and Iran will be arranged through registered tour operators and air travel only.
Under the new Ziyarat Management Policy, all pilgrimages must be organized through licensed groups, with operators directly responsible for ensuring that all travelers return on time. Companies that fail to meet requirements face license cancelation, the ministry has said.
Authorities say the policy aims to address long-standing security and migration concerns flagged by host governments, while restoring credibility to Pakistan’s management of religious tourism.
