"It is thought that many have come under false pretences to Iraq"
The Pakistani government and Iraq authorities are concerned about the Pakistanis fleeing to Iraq.
Approximately 50,000 Pakistanis have disappeared.
The figures were revealed by Minister of Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain when he briefed the Senate Standing Committee.
He did not elaborate on the timescale or nature of the disappearances.
Nevertheless, the substantial amount has sparked widespread concern.
Many Pakistanis are thought to have come to Iraq under false pretences and are believed to be working illegally.
During the briefing, Hussain said the government had formulated a policy to streamline such visits to Middle Eastern states. This policy is pending approval from the federal cabinet.
Ahmed al-Asadi, Iraq’s Labour and Social Affairs Minister, stated:
“Iraq has witnessed the influx of tourists from various countries during the past days, including Pakistanis, but many of them have begun to engage in the labour market without the required legal permits.
“Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether for religious tourism or otherwise, from all over the world, but stresses the need to respect local laws and regulations.”
Ahmed al-Asadi announced an investigation would take place.
Iraq has many foreign national workers, including Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Indians, and Nepalis. They often work as waiters, cooks, street cleaners, and construction workers.
The emphasis is on the need for people from Pakistan and elsewhere to enter Iraq legally.
The Iraqi Ministry of Labour issued an official statement stating that there are one million foreign workers in Iraq. However, only 71,000 of them are registered with official documents.
Each year, millions of foreign pilgrims travel to Iraq primarily for Shia Muslim religious festivals on Arbaeen and Ashura.
The Arbaeen pilgrimage is arguably the largest gathering in the world, attracting as many as 22 million people.
The Pakistani government has acknowledged the challenges faced by pilgrims.
Challenges include lengthy wait times, inadequate facilities, and extremely high costs. A dedicated directorate for pilgrims to Iraq and Iran is being established to address these issues.
Recently, Pakistan and Iraq signed an agreement to facilitate work visas for Pakistanis. The aim is to reduce illegal immigration.
However, the new reports on missing pilgrims raise questions about the effectiveness of these measures.
There is a need to reflect on why so many people are leaving Pakistan, possibly to work illegally in Iraq, and determine solutions.
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