JEDDAH: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, met with Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah on Sunday to review preparations for Hajj 2025.
Sardar Yousaf appreciated the excellent arrangements made by the Saudi government for Pakistani pilgrims. He said Saudi authorities introduce new technologies and modern services every year to make the Hajj experience easier and more comfortable.
He added that Pakistani pilgrims are being provided with quality food, transport, and accommodation. Efforts are also underway to expand the “Makkah Route” initiative to more major cities in Pakistan next year.
Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said the Saudi Ministry is using a comprehensive digital system to further improve pilgrim services. He assured that Pakistani pilgrims will be provided with the best possible facilities in Mina and Arafat.
He also mentioned that private companies are being encouraged to improve services during the Mashair days. Serving Pakistani pilgrims, he said, is an honour for the Kingdom.
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With the arrival of the last PIA flight PK-759 from Karachi carrying 307 pilgrims, the 33-day pre-Hajj flight operation successfully concluded on Saturday. The flight operation began on April 29.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, a total of 88,260 Pakistani pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia under the Government Hajj Scheme via 342 flights from various cities. In addition, over 27,000 pilgrims have arrived through private Hajj arrangements.
In the first phase of the operation, around 39,717 pilgrims were flown to Madinah by May 27 through 156 flights.
In total, more than 115,000 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Hajj this year—88,260 through the government scheme and 27,011 under private Hajj Group Organizers (HGOs).
Several airlines including PIA, Saudi Airlines, SereneAir, Airblue, and AirSial operated Hajj flights from Pakistan.
To assist pilgrims during the key Mashair days—such as Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Jamarat—around 470 Nazimeen have been deputed. Each group of 188 to 200 pilgrims will be accompanied by a dedicated Nazim throughout their Hajj journey.
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