Iraqi FM assures new visa facilitation policy for Pakistani pilgrims

Islamabad: Iraqi Foreign Minister Dr Fuad Hussein on Wednesday assured Pakistan of introducing a new visa policy for Pakistani pilgrims aimed at facilitating their visits to the holy sites in Iraq.

In a joint press stakeout along with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the visiting Iraqi foreign minister said every possible facilitation would be extended to Pakistanis visiting holy places in Karbala and Najaf.

The two foreign ministers, who earlier led delegation-level talks, focused on bilateral and regional consultations on trade, energy, religious tourism, defence cooperation, human resource, employment and consular matters.

FM Dr Fuad Hussein said he would discuss with the Iraqi interior minister to “make it easier for Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iraq”, adding that promoting people-to-people level contacts was in the interest of both countries.

Foreign Minister Qureshi mentioned that the issue of smooth issuance of visas for Pakistani pilgrims to Iraq, especially during Muharram, was taken up.

On the personal interest of Prime Minister Imran Khan, he said, a pilgrims management policy was under consideration. Also, plans are underway to set up a Pakistan House at Karbala and a medical centre to facilitate the pilgrims.

Iraqi FM Dr Fuad Hussein called upon Pakistan and India to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir through negotiations.
“We hope that both countries will start negotiations to resolve the lingering issue [of Kashmir],” he said.

He mentioned that Iraq had “excellent” relations with both Pakistan and India, believing that dialogue was the peaceful way to resolve the issue.

Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi said he updated his Iraqi counterpart on India’s continuous state-terrorism against innocent Kashmiris in the Occupied Valley.

The Iraqi FM expressing concern over the “worsening” situation in Afghanistan stressed the need for negotiations among various political groups.

“For Iraq, the peace in Afghanistan is important as the conflict could spill over to other regional countries,” he said.

He mentioned Pakistan’s “important role” played towards continuation of the Afghan peace process.

FM Qureshi said Pakistan had been consistently advocating the peace process, may it the Doha talks, the Heart of Asia Istanbul process or the discussion of Troika.

Pakistan never supported any ‘apolitical’ group in Afghanistan, he added.

On the recent social media trend ‘#SanctionPakistan’, he said it was a “spot controlled trend and a part of the smear campaign to divert attention from the internal challenges Afghanistan was going through”.

“Despite criticism, Pakistan will continue to facilitate the Afghan process,” he said, adding that details revealed that it was an “orchestrated and not a natural social media trend”.

Qureshi said Pakistan was clear in its approach towards Afghanistan and “would not be apologetic”.

“We have done whatever we could and will continue to do. It is in-sync with the agenda of our government,” he said.

Iraqi FM Fuad Hussain said tension among the regional countries directly affected Iraq and added that his government was planning to hold a meeting of regional leaders this month.

He announced that Iraqi prime minister had accepted the invitation of the government of Pakistan to visit the country in near future.

FM Qureshi mentioned the “goodwill and warmth” existing between the governments and people of Pakistan and Iraq, however pointed out that lack of bilateral engagement needed more collaboration.
He said both sides agreed to convene the ninth meeting of the Pak-Iraq Joint Ministerial Commission.

On the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two foreign ministers, he said the accord on Bilateral Political Consultation would enhance the existing friendly relations between Pakistan and Iraq and give a new dimension to cooperation in diverse areas.

Pakistan and Iraq on Wednesday inked Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on holding bilateral political consultations.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Iraqi counterpart Dr. Fuad Hussain inked the document at the signing ceremony held here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The MoU is expected to further enhance the existing friendly relations between Pakistan and Iraq and give a new dimension to cooperation in diverse areas.

Earlier, the two foreign ministers led delegation-level talks encompassing a gamut of matters pertaining to bilateral, regional and international importance.

“The two sides reaffirmed the long-standing and friendly ties between the two countries, rooted deep in shared faith, common values and cultural affinities and reaffirmed the desire to further strengthen bilateral relations in all fields,” the Foreign Office said.

​Foreign Minister Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s support for territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq, and acknowledged the successes of Iraq and its people in the fight against terrorism. He appreciated the resilience of Iraqi people in their efforts to overcome challenges and rebuild the country.

​Recalling his recent visit to Iraq, FM Qureshi underscored the importance of further strengthening the current momentum of high-level exchanges to augment bilateral cooperation.

To strengthen institutional efforts, the two sides agreed on early convening of the 9th session of the Pakistan-Iraq Joint Ministerial Commission.

​The matters pertaining to Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iraq and people-to-people contacts also came under discussion.

​Highlighting the shifting focus of Pakistan from geo-politics to geo-economics, Foreign Minister Qureshi stressed the importance of expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation through enhanced connectivity and closer business-to-business and people-to-people linkages.

He highlighted the potential in promoting tourism, scientific and educational collaboration, as well as cooperation in food security and oil sectors.