The government of Pakistan has introduced a new registration system for Ziyarat group organisers to improve travel arrangements for pilgrims visiting Iran and Iraq. The initiative aims to provide safer, more organised, and transparent services for religious travellers.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony announced that only registered Ziyarat group organisers will now be allowed to manage bookings and travel arrangements. Individuals and companies that are not officially registered will no longer be permitted to offer these services.
According to the ministry, the new system has been launched under the Ziyarat Policy 2026. A total of 262 Ziyarat group organisers have already been registered through the policy. These approved operators will now be responsible for handling travel services for pilgrims.
Officials said the decision is intended to improve the overall experience for travellers. The ministry believes the new process will help ensure better planning, stronger oversight, and improved facilities for people travelling on Ziyarat.
The ministry has also published the complete list of approved organisers on its official website. Pilgrims can review the list before making any travel arrangements. This step is expected to help travellers choose reliable and verified service providers.
The government advised all pilgrims to deal only with registered operators. It warned against booking travel through unauthorised individuals or companies. Officials said such transactions could expose travellers to fraud or financial losses.
The ministry further clarified that it will not accept responsibility for any losses resulting from dealings with unregistered organisers. Pilgrims have therefore been encouraged to verify the registration status of any travel organiser before making payments.
The new registration system is part of broader efforts to strengthen the management of religious travel from Pakistan. Authorities hope the policy will improve service quality while increasing transparency across the Ziyarat sector.
Officials also said the initiative would help eliminate the activities of illegal operators. Unauthorised businesses have previously raised concerns regarding unreliable services and a lack of accountability. The ministry believes stricter regulation will reduce these risks.
Under the updated framework, registered organisers will be expected to follow government guidelines and maintain service standards. This approach aims to provide pilgrims with greater confidence when planning their journeys.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs said it will continue monitoring the performance of approved organisers. It also plans to take action against anyone offering Ziyarat services without official registration.
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The latest policy reflects Pakistan’s efforts to improve religious travel management while protecting pilgrims from fraud and unregulated services. Authorities have urged all travellers to check the official list of registered organisers and complete bookings only through approved operators to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage experience.
