Minister Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Issued no Statement on Pakistani Zaireen Missing in Iraq

Islamabad: August 10, 2024 – The spokesperson of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has strongly condemned a news item in section of the media alleging Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain has made a statement in a Senate committee meeting about the disappearance of 50,000 (Zaireen) Pakistanis in Iraq during pilgrimage.

The spokesperson has declared this news item as entirely false and misleading. It may be clearly underscored that the federal minister never gave any such statement. Moreover, it is clarified that the intending pilgrims organize their travel to Iraq for ziarat through private operators. Efforts are underway to improve the process of facilitation.