Visa issue for Arbaeen pilgrims resolved: Qureshi

Qureshi says those who have applied for the Iraqi visa for Arbaeen would be granted visas soon

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Thursday the Iraqi government had promised to issue visas to Pakistani pilgrims, enabling them to attend the Arbaeen (Chehlum) in Iraq.

In a video message, the minister said that he spoke to his Iraqi counterpart, Mohammad Ali Hakim, to raise this matter and he promised to resolve the issue at the earliest. Qureshi said those who have applied for the Iraqi visa for Arbaeen would be granted visas soon.

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“I'm pleased to announced that the issue of visas for Arbaeen has been resolved amicably. The issue came up last year also, which was resolved through timely contacts," Qureshi said in his video message.

“It has also been decided that additional staff required for processing the visa applications would be sent to the Iraqi embassy,” he said, adding: "We have agreed to find a permanent solution to the issue."

Qureshi said that the Iraqi minister expressed his desire to welcome the Pakistani pilgrims other than those wishing to attend the Arbaeen rituals. The Iraqi government would facilitate the visitors to the shrines of Hazrat Imam Abu Hahifa (RA) and Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA).

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Meanwhile, talking to British High Commissioner Thomas Drew, Qureshi said heinous human rights violations were being perpetrated by the Indian forces in occupied Kashmir and urged the international community, including the United Kingdom, to play it role in lifting the curfew there.

The foreign minister told the British envoy that the people of Pakistan had great respect for the British Royal Family. “We are looking forward for the arrival of Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, in Pakistan.”

The minister said special arrangements had been made about the arrival of the British royal couple. He added that the visit of the duke and duchess of Cambridge would promote relations between the two countries.