ISLAMABAD, July 26: The government has introduced a new travel advisory for intending Pakistani pilgrims and Zaireen to Saudi Arabia and Iran in an effort to control human smuggling being done on the pretext of Umrah and visits to sacred places, a source in the interior ministry told Dawn on Wednesday.

Under the new advisory, intending pilgrims and Zaireen have to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the interior ministry or the ministry of religious affairs, the source said.

The source said personal assurance would also be required for intending Zaireen to Iran which could be given by any person.

“The guarantor has to ensure both ministries that the intending visitor will definitely return to the country after visiting sacred places in Iran,” the source said.

The source said many people visited Iran to pay visit to sacred places and shrines but in fact they slipped away and proceed to European countries via Turkey.

“Illegal stay of Pakistanis in European countries and the Middle East brings a bad name to Pakistan and the ministry is trying to control this practice,” the source said.

He said a large number of Pakistanis were residing illegally also in Saudi Arabia and Saudi authorities had conveyed their concern over it to Islamabad.

The source said the interior ministry had received information that a large number of intending pilgrims had not returned back to the country and had become illegal immigrants in Saudi Arabia.

“Almost 99 per cent of the human smuggling from Pakistan is being committed through land routes from the Pakistan-Iran border and one per cent is being done through air routes,” the source said.

He said intending pilgrims and Zaireen will have to get an NOC in the capital and it will be checked at all exit points and airports.

Similarly, personal assurance has to be given to the Ministry of Interior of Religious Affairs.