Gwadar:Deputy Commissioner Hamood-ur-Rehman has issued a significant press release expressing deep concern and dissatisfaction over the irregularities and lack of professionalism demonstrated by tour operators providing services to Pakistani pilgrims traveling to Iran.
In his statement, the Deputy Commissioner noted that for the first time, Iran had issued permits for a large number of Pakistani pilgrims for religious visits. However, local tour operators failed to maintain proper discipline, leading to irregularities that not only caused difficulties for the pilgrims but also damaged Pakistan’s reputation.
The Deputy Commissioner revealed that while tour operators had provided details such as vehicle numbers, chassis numbers, and driver names, the actual vehicles and drivers used during the trip did not match the provided details. These discrepancies resulted in significant challenges for both the pilgrims and the Gwadar administration.
He emphasized that such irregularities and lack of seriousness will not be tolerated in the future. A complete ban will be enforced on entry of such buses and bogus drivers into Gwadar. He further stated that tour operators and departments must obtain prior authorization from the Gwadar administration and submit accurate and transparent data before pilgrims are permitted to travel.
The district administration has clarified that permits will only be issued after thorough vetting of tour operators’ vehicles and drivers, aiming to ensure a safe and organized travel experience for pilgrims. Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner mentioned that important recommendations would be submitted to the Balochistan government to develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent such issues in the future. These recommendations aim to make the pilgrimage experience safer and more organized, maintaining a positive image of Pakistan. The Balochistan government is expected to take solid measures based on these recommendations to resolve existing issues and improve arrangements for pilgrims.
