The government of Iraq announced a new regulation regarding the religious pilgrims from Pakistan on Wednesday.

According to the new regulation, the Iraqi authorities will not grant visas to male individuals under 50 years of age who travel alone.

“Male pilgrims under the age of fifty (50) years must be accompanied by their families and shall not be permitted to travel alone for Ziaraat to Iraq,” said the statement by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Pakistan.

The ministry vows to ensure the “strict compliance” after this regulation.