ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has launched a short message service (SMS) to help Hajj pilgrims verify the authenticity of private tour operators and protect against unauthorised service providers, ministry officials said on Monday.
With the new service, pilgrims can now send a text to ‘8331’ and get details about registered private Hajj tour operators, Imran Siddiqui, spokesperson for the religion ministry, told Arab News.
Only 798 private tour operators are authorised to send pilgrims for Hajj.
The ministry has also launched five mobile phone apps to guide pilgrims about locations in Mina and inform them about other Hajj-related details.
Last week, Saudi Arabia agreed in principle to provide e-visas to Pakistani Hajj pilgrims travelling to Mecca this year, an important milestone in ties between staunch allies Islamabad and Riyadh.
“This year Pakistani Hajj pilgrims will get e-visas,” Imran Siddique, a spokesman for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, had told Arab News, adding that the move would help travellers save a lot of time. “From this year, pilgrims can download their visas (papers) from our ministry's website and we can also send them visas through Whatsapp, if needed.”
Nearly 107,526 Pakistanis will perform Hajj on the government’s quota this year, while more than 76,000 will use services offered by private tour and Hajj operators. Hajj flights from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia will begin in the first week of July.
Pakistan launches text messaging service for Hajj pilgrims
Pakistan launches text messaging service for Hajj pilgrims
- Short message service will help Hajj travellers verify authenticity of private tour operators
- More than 184,000 Pakistanis expected to perform Hajj this year
Pakistan U19 to open tri-series against Afghanistan on Saturday in Zimbabwe
- Pakistan enter the tournament as U19 Asia Cup champions after beating India by 191 runs in Dubai
- The tri-series is seen as key preparation for next month’s U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team will begin their tri-series campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday in Harare, using the tournament as a key preparation for next month’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan, the reigning ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup champions, are competing in the 50-over tri-series alongside Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe, with each team playing the others twice before the top two advance to the final on Jan. 6.
Pakistan won the eight-team Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month, beating India by 191 runs in the final, and will play a minimum of four matches in the tri-series, starting at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
“The Asia Cup was a good win for us and the players showed great morale and intensity,” Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “The tri-series is very important for the players and will help us find the right combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup.”
Pakistan will face Zimbabwe on Dec. 29 before meeting Afghanistan again on Jan. 2, followed by a second match against the hosts on Jan. 4. Matches will be played across venues in Harare, including Harare Sports Club, Prince Edward School and Sunrise Sports Club.
The tri-series is being seen as an important warm-up ahead of the U19 World Cup, which will be held from Jan. 15 to Feb. 6. Pakistan are placed in Group C and will play all their group-stage matches in Harare.
“The conditions here are similar and will be beneficial for our World Cup preparations,” Yousaf said. “Both teams in the tournament are strong and competitive and we respect every opposition as we look forward to a competitive event.”
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against England on Jan. 16, followed by matches against Scotland and Zimbabwe, with the Super Six stage beginning on Jan. 25 and the final scheduled for Feb. 6 at Harare Sports Club.
