September 04, 2006	Monday	Sha'aban 10, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 3: Pakistan has not banned people from travelling to Iraq but it has issued a ‘travel advisory’ to remind people of hazards of the war-like situation there, officials say.

“We cannot impose a ban on Iraq travel because such a ban would be useless as most Pakistani pilgrims would have proceeded to Iraq from Iran without seeking prior government approval,” Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah told Dawn on Sunday.

The official said even now, most of the pilgrims did not travel directly to Iraq from Pakistan. They used other routes to proceed to the war-torn country to visit sacred places, he added.

“A ban on travelling to any country works only when it is imposed for a neighbouring country but in case of countries far away, such bans are not workable,” he said.

The government issued a ‘travel advisory’ for the people after killing of 11 Pakistani Zaireen in Iraq on Saturday. “The tragic incident should serve as a clear reminder to our people that travelling to Iraq these days is unwise,” he said.

The government had already imposed restrictions on travel to Iran and Saudi Arabia, making a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) mandatory for visiting sacred places and Umrah. The NOC would be issued by the ministry of interior after approval of the ministry of religious affairs.

The secretary said that the condition was one of the steps to curb illegal migration to different countries through Iran and Saudi Arabia.

He said personal assurance would also be required for the intending pilgrims to Iran, adding that it could be given by any person.

“The guarantor has to assure both ministries that the intending visitor will return to the country after visiting the sacred placed in Iran,” the official said.

According to reports, many people visited Iran apparently to visit various shrines but in fact, they proceed to various 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,” he said. A large number of Pakistanis were residing illegally in Saudi Arabia and Saudi authorities had conveyed their concern to Islamabad.

The interior ministry had received information that a large number of intending pilgrims did not return and become illegal immigrants in Saudi Arabia.