Religious Tourism from Pakistan to India

To promote religious tourism and people to people contacts for peace and stability in the region,Government of Pakistan signed a MOU with Government of India on 14th September 1974 regarding ilateral predetermined visits of people of both countries to their religious/ sacred places. Since its signing, the Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony, Government of Pakistan is regularly arranging visit of Pakistani Zaireen to India on the following Urses: -

Ziarat Section manages the visits of Pakistani Zaireen to India on the eve of six scheduled Urses of prominent Muslim Saints, as per following procedure:

• The press release is issued about the Urses.
• Applications for each Urse are invited to fix the last date (application form available on the website).
• Balloting is conducted for the selection of Zaireen (If required).
• Security clearance of Zaireen from Ministry of Interior is obtained.
• Collecting of Passports from Zaireen and their submission to Indian High Commission for Visas
• MOFA had shared a proposal of Indian side wherein inclusion of more religious sites was proposed. In response, this Ministry proposed 16 new sites and increase in agreed number of Zaireen for the existing 06 sites, at least double from the existing combined strength of 1500 to 3000.

India Ziaraat FAQs

How to Apply for India Ziaraat (Important Documents)

India Ziaraat Application Form View / Download

India Ziaraat Schedule View / Download

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IMPLEMENTATION OF ZAIREEN MANAGEMENT POLICY

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Registration of Zaireen Group Organizers (ZGOS)

• Total application received 1413
• Security clearance received from M/o Interior till date
  • 119 (106 Punjab, 12 KPK & 01 AJK)
• Registration letter has been issued to 108 ZGOs on 10.03.2023
• Remaining ZGOs will be registered on receipt of pending security clearance
• A meeting of concerned stakeholders was held on 13.04.2023 under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary (D&Z) to expedite the clearance process wherein concerned agencies updated as under

Signing of MoUs with IRAN, IRAQ & SYRIA

The proposed MOUs with Iran, Iraq & Syria were forwarded to MOFA on 02.06.2021. Main points of the proposed MOU are as under: -  

Issuance of Group Visas through Registered Tour Operators

As per policy, Pakistani Travel Agency/ Zaireen Group Organizer (ZGO), registered with Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony, Pakistan will be allowed to operate and process visas for their Zaireen.

Establishment of Directorate Office at Baghdad and Karbala

Zaireen directorate offices will be established by the Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony under the Embassy of Pakistan in host countries to coordinate, supervise and facilitate the visit of Zaireen.

The updated status of the proposed MoUs is as under: -

• Iran is sticking to its point of view that all clauses in the proposed MoU are already covered in various MoUs signed from time to time, therefore, fresh MoU is not required. After perusal of those MoUs, Iranian point of view is not endorsed. However, MOFA has been requested to approach Iranian side with the request to extend the required facilities either through previous or newly proposed MoU as deemed appropriate.
• Iraq has shared willingness to sign the MoU with some amendments. The revised MoU is under submission to Cabinet for Approval which is under process
• Syrian Minister for Auqaf has shown his willingness to visit Pakistan, if extended an invitation and during his visit the MoU will also be discussed. However, MOFA has advised to wait due to some political reasons.