ISLAMABAD, JULY15: The Ministry of Human Resource Development and Overseas Pakistanis intends to obtain employment licenses for Pakistani nationals in Iraq. To do this, the ministry will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Iraqi Ministry of Labor.Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was present when Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta discussed this.
According to Minister Salik, the MoU would make it easier for Pakistani nationals to get work permits in Iraq, which will increase legal immigration and decrease unauthorized access. The Iraqi ambassador was reassured by Interior Minister Naqvi of his help in resolving the matter of Pakistani nationals living in Iraq without authorization.
Enhancing the amenities for Pakistani pilgrims, such as providing free entry visas and raising the pilgrimage quota, was another major topic of discussion during the summit. Minister Naqvi promised to take action against travel agencies who overcharge pilgrims.
Because the passport submission requirement poses issues for pilgrims upon their return, Naqvi asked the Iraqi government to raise the quota for Pakistani pilgrims and waive it altogether.
In exchange for Naqvi promising to take tough measures against the travel brokers within a week, the Iraqi ambassador agreed to cooperate and gave a list of those who had overcharged pilgrims. The two parties also decided to complete a deal regarding official and diplomatic passport holders’ exemptions from needing a visa.
