ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Hajj pilgrims can enjoy fifth-generation Internet service in Makkah after Prince Khaled Al-Faisal inaugurated the facility this week as part of the Smart Hajj initiative, which aims to provide innovative services to pilgrims through different digital platforms.
According to a report published by the Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Sawaha also highlighted his ministry’s preparations and the new programs for this year’s Hajj season at the occasion.
The launch of the Smart Hajj initiative’s second stage is an extension of the ministry’s innovative efforts made during last year’s season.
“The efforts included quality services such as a training platform to instruct those who wish to assist pilgrims, a virtual reality platform to help foreign pilgrims perform their rituals, and a smartphone platform to allow pilgrims to download applications,” read the SPA report.
Pakistani Hajj pilgrims to experience 5G network service in Makkah
Pakistani Hajj pilgrims to experience 5G network service in Makkah
- The facility was recently inaugurated by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal
- The new 5G network is part of the Kingdom’s Smart Hajj initiative that seeks to provide better services to pilgrims
Pakistan engages Saudi Arabia, China in bid to ease surging Middle East tensions
- Pakistan’s foreign minister stresses need for de-escalation in conversations with Chinese, Saudi counterparts
- Tensions in the Middle East continue to remain high as conflict between US, Israel and Iran intensifies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and China on Tuesday, stressing the importance of diplomatic engagement to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East as the Iran war intensifies.
Pakistan has constantly engaged regional countries in efforts to broker a ceasefire in the Middle East, after the US and Isreal launched coordinated strikes against Iran on Feb. 28.
Iran launched fresh attacks on Gulf countries on Tuesday morning, where it has targeted US military bases in recent weeks. In addition to firing missiles and drones at Israel and American bases in the region, Iran has also been targeting energy infrastructure which, combined with its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, has sent oil prices soaring worldwide.
Dar spoke to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss developments in the Middle East and ongoing deliberations at the UN Security Council, Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.
“DPM/FM shared Pakistan’s perspective, underscoring the importance of continued coordination and diplomatic engagement to support de-escalation and promote peace and stability across the region and beyond,” the statement said.
Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, spoke to Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi over the telephone separately. The two discussed the evolving regional situation and broader global developments.
Dar underscored the need to ease tensions in the Middle East and the wider region during the conversation, the foreign office said.
Yi appreciated Pakistan’s constructive efforts aimed at promoting de-escalation and stability in the region, it added.
“The two leaders stressed the importance of de-escalation and emphasized the need to pursue dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter,” the foreign office’s statement said.
The conflict in the Middle East has hit Pakistan hard as well, forcing Islamabad to hike petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per liter last Friday.
Pakistan’s government has also announced a set of austerity measures, which include closing schools and cutting down on government expenditures, as it evaluates petrol stocks and looks for alternative supply routes.
