RIYADH: The number of Umrah visas issued this year has reached 7,463,259, of which 6,964,943 pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom, according to data provided by the Hajj Ministry.
There are 925,246 pilgrims still in the Kingdom, with 679,929 in Makkah and 245,317 in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Most pilgrims — 6,185,504 — came to the Kingdom by air, while 671,356 entered by land and 108,083 arrived by sea.
The largest number of pilgrims are from Pakistan (1,530,855) followed by Indonesia (934,827), India (635,675), Egypt (524,728), Algeria (353,425), Yemen (323,083), Turkey (300,517), Malaysia (26,9554), Iraq (268,179) and Jordan (194,908).
The weekly data also included the number of Saudi staff within Umrah companies and institutions. They are 10,852 Saudis including 8,978 males and 1,874 females.
Developing Hajj and Umrah organizations and services in the Kingdom is among the top priorities of the Saudi government.
The Vision 2030 reform plan aims to attract more than 30 million Umrah pilgrims, and provide them with excellent services and an outstanding experience.
Hajj Ministry: More than 7.46m Umrah visas issued so far
Hajj Ministry: More than 7.46m Umrah visas issued so far
- The largest number of pilgrims are from Pakistan
- The Vision 2030 reform plan aims to attract more than 30 million Umrah pilgrims, and provide them with excellent services and an outstanding experience
Pakistan confers second-highest civilian award on Saudi commerce minister for strengthening ties
- Ambassador Ahmad Farooq confers Hilal-e-Pakistan on Majid Al-Kassabi in Riyadh
- Award reflects the depth of the longstanding partnership and strong trade relations between the Kingdom and Pakistan
RIYADH: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Ahmad Farooq has conferred the country’s second-highest civilian award on Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi for his role in strengthening ties between Islamabad and Riyadh, Pakistan’s Embassy in Saudi Arabia said.
Farooq presented the Hilal-e-Pakistan to Al-Kassabi during a meeting in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The parties also discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade relations.
“On behalf of the president of Pakistan, Ambassador Ahmad Farooq conferred the Hilal-e-Pakistan on Majid Al-Kassabi, minister of commerce of Saudi Arabia, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to strengthening Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations,” the embassy wrote on X.
The award reflects the depth of the longstanding partnership and strong trade relations between the Kingdom and Pakistan and serves as an impetus to further strengthen joint cooperation for the benefit of both countries and their peoples, the SPA reported.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial ties that date back decades and include cooperation in several sectors such as defense, trade, economy, agriculture, livestock and minerals.
Saudi Arabia is the largest source of foreign remittances to Pakistan, with over 2 million Pakistani expats residing in the Kingdom. Riyadh has also helped Pakistan during several economic crises over the years, providing oil on deferred payments and loans in critical times.
The two countries signed a landmark strategic partnership agreement in September 2025, according to which an act of aggression against one country will be seen as an attack on both.
