**Pakistan Launches Digital Tracking System to Ensure Safety of Religious Pilgrims**
Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has introduced a sophisticated online system to enhance the safety and monitoring of citizens traveling abroad for religious pilgrimages. In an official statement, Federal Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf clarified misconceptions regarding the number of missing Pakistani pilgrims and outlined new measures to ensure transparency and traveler protection.
Addressing recent speculation, Minister Yousaf stated that his reference to “forty thousand” pilgrims was not meant to suggest that thousands of Pakistanis are missing abroad. He explained that the root of the confusion lies in the incomplete transfer of older paper records into the ministry’s central digital registry. The government is actively working to update this information to maintain accurate traveler data.
To address these gaps and improve oversight, the ministry has launched a modern online portal where pilgrims and group organizers can register and receive a QR code-enabled e-card. This technology allows both families and government authorities to access real-time information about each traveler, which will facilitate immediate response in case of emergencies.
Minister Yousaf further noted that the ministry will regularly share updated lists of travelers with authorities in Iran, Iraq, and Syria—the primary destinations for religious pilgrims. This initiative is expected to reduce misunderstandings and prevent the spread of misinformation or unfounded rumors.
Tour operators and pilgrims have been urged to submit their details on the portal by August 31 to ensure that no individual remains on an “incomplete” registry. Minister Yousaf emphasized the ministry’s commitment to making every Pakistani’s journey abroad as safe as possible.
He also appealed to the media and civil society to support efforts to combat baseless speculation and promote factual understanding. The minister reiterated that the welfare of Pakistani citizens traveling abroad remains a top priority for the government.
Concluding his remarks, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf invited all stakeholders to contribute to the success of the digital system, stressing the importance of presenting Pakistan as a responsible nation committed to transparency and the diligent use of modern technology for the protection of its citizens.
