ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Friday issued certificates to 24 authorized Ziarat Group Organizers (ZGOs) for pilgrimages to Iran, Iraq and Syria, saying these companies would provide travel, accommodation, food and other facilities to devotees.
Thousands of Pakistanis, mostly Shias, travel to these countries annually to visit religious shrines. The government announced last month it would abolish the decades-old Salar system, under which private caravan leaders managed pilgrim travel.
The decision followed official confirmation that around 40,000 Pakistani citizens had overstayed or gone missing in Iran, Iraq and Syria over the past decade.
“From now on, pilgrims traveling to Iran, Iraq and Syria would only be allowed to do so through registered ZGOs,” the minister said. “Under the new system, pilgrims will be provided with better facilities, a transparent process and safer travel.”
Yousaf told representatives of newly registered companies at a ceremony in Islamabad they were responsible for ensuring pilgrims’ transport, housing and meals.
