KARACHI: The mysterious disappearance of more than 40,000 Pakistani pilgrims who traveled to Iran, Iraq and Syria has sparked serious concern among immigration authorities and diplomats.
Despite repeated inquiries, no verified information is available regarding their current whereabouts.
According to credible immigration sources, a significant number of these individuals have overstayed their religious pilgrimage visas, with many now involved in begging on the streets of Iraqi cities such as Baghdad, Najaf, and Karbala or working illegally in various sectors. Some are believed to have used this route to reach Europe via Turkey, aided by human trafficking networks.
In an official communication from FIA Immigration Headquarters, a report revealed that 66 women and children, arrested in Baghdad for begging, originated from southern Punjab and interior Sindh, including Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur and Shikarpur. Many of their male family members reportedly returned to Pakistan, leaving the women and children behind.
The Pakistani embassy in Baghdad has expressed grave concern over the growing number of undocumented Pakistanis, estimating that 40,000 to 50,000 nationals are currently residing in Iraq, most without legal residency. Only a small fraction are employed legally in sectors such as construction, health care, oil and gas, telecommunications, and international agencies.
Embassy officials also reported the presence of dozens of female beggars accompanied by infants and children, many lacking birth certificates or official identification, which complicates the issuance of emergency travel documents (ETDs) for repatriation.
Alarmingly, Iraqi officials have raised the issue of drug smuggling by some Pakistani entrants. In meetings with Iraqi parliamentary committees, it was revealed that certain individuals cross into Iraq from Iran carrying narcotics. So far, 21 Pakistani citizens have been convicted on drug-related charges in Iraq.
The misuse of pilgrimage (ziyarat) visas has also become a growing concern. Officials say many individuals from districts such as Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, and Wazirabad enter Iran legally through the Taftan and Gubd border crossings, only to cross illegally into Iraq or onward to Turkey in hopes of reaching Europe.
The Pakistani mission has warned that continued violations may result in blacklisting of Pakistani citizens by Iraqi authorities, potentially restricting future religious travel and damaging diplomatic relations.
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