ISLAMABAD: Around 8,550 pilgrims from Pakistan have reached the holy city of Madina, confirmed the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Monday.
A team of 45 members including paramedics has been deputed for the pilgrims while authorities have engaged another 70 from Saudi Arabia to assist and facilitates Pakistani nationals, ministry’s spokesperson Imran Siddiqui told Arab News.
Pakistan started the Hajj flights to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for its 200,000 pilgrims performing Hajj this year.
Ahead of flight operations, a team of Saudi officials had arrived in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad last week to install the immigration system at the Islamabad International Airport as part of ‘Road to Makkah’ project.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the government with the help of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken “revolutionary steps” to facilitate pilgrims, Pakistan’s state-run media reported on Monday.
Addressing a training ceremony for Hajj pilgrims in his native city of Multan, Qureshi said that Pakistan was included in Road to Makkah project upon special request by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
It is for the first time that the South Asian nation will avail domestic immigration facility for its pilgrims availing the Saudi initiative aimed at bringing ease for Muslim around the world.
Over 8000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims reached Saudi Arabia
Over 8000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims reached Saudi Arabia
- Government has taken 'revolutionary steps' with Saudi help to facilitate pilgrims, says foreign minister Hajj flights operation started from Pakistan last week.
- Around 200,000 Pakistanis will perform Hajj this year.
Pakistan okays Bangladesh’s Biman to begin Dhaka-Karachi flights as ties warm up
- Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war
- Ties between both nations have warmed up since ouster of PM Sheikh Hasina, viewed as an India ally
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has granted Bangladesh’s national carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, permission to begin flight operations between Dhaka and Karachi, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) said on Friday, amid strengthening ties between the two countries.
Pakistan and Bangladesh used to be one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war, which saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh.
Ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have warmed up since the fall of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was widely viewed as close to India and critical of Pakistan, following a student-led uprising in August 2024.
Islamabad has attempted to forge closer ties with Dhaka in recent months after the two South Asian nations began sea trade in late 2024, which were followed by efforts to expand government-to-government commerce.
“Pakistan has granted Biman, the national flag carrier of Bangladesh, initial permission for three months up to March 26 to operate flights between Dhaka and Karachi,” a PCAA spokesperson told Arab News, adding that the duration could be extended.
The approval marks a significant step in restoring direct air connectivity between the two nations.
In Nov. last year, the now-privatized Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) said it had signed a cargo agreement with Biman, aimed at streamlining air freight operations and boosting bilateral trade.
A PIA spokesperson said the agreement was part of PIA’s strategy to expand its cargo business and offer more competitive services to customers.
Pakistan has stepped up efforts to rebuild relations with Bangladesh as ties between Dhaka and New Delhi remain strained over India’s decision to grant asylum to Hasina after she fled the country.
In Feb. 2025, a cargo vessel sailed directly from Pakistan to Bangladesh for the first time in decades and successfully unloaded containers, port officials said.
The two countries signed six agreements last August, covering areas such as visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders, trade cooperation, media collaboration and cultural exchanges, officials said.
Separately, Islamabad allowed Britain’s Norse Atlantic to operate flights to the South Asian country, the Pakistani defense minister announced late Thursday. The airline will operate direct flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham to the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.
“The increase in operations of international airlines to Pakistan will promote a competitive environment leading to world class service and balance in fares,” Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on X.
