ISLAMABAD: Around 173,000 pilgrims from Pakistan have reached Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs said in an official handout on Sunday.
These include “117,000 under government quota and 56,000 using services offered by private tour and Hajj operators,” the ministry said giving further details.
The last of specially-designated flights for Hajj will leave for Saudi Arabia on Thursday, with the year’s remaining passengers from Pakistan en-route to the annual Muslim pilgrimage.
For the 200,000 Pakistani citizens who will perform the Hajj this year, flights started on July 4, with a model pre-departure immigration facility at Islamabad airport in the country’s capital city. 20,000 people benefitted from the facility with a dedicated team on ground from Saudi Arabia, as well as Pakistani officials overseeing the travel documents of Hajj pilgrims.
The pre-immigration pilot program is part of the “Road to Makkah” project initiated by Saudi Arabia at the request of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the project would extend to Pakistan during his historic visit to Islamabad in February 2019.
The initiative aims to facilitate Hajj pilgrims and make for a smoother departure and arrival process, with quicker clearance facilities which save up to ten hours of waiting time after arrival in Saudi Arabia.
With the Hajj only days away, a majority of pilgrims from Pakistan and elsewhere are already present in Saudi Arabia with all preparations for their health and safety in place.
To ensure things were in order, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, visited a Pakistani Hajj mission’s health facility in the holy city of Madinah on Saturday, a statement from the ministry said.
Last week, Pakistan’s director general for the country’s Hajj mission, Dr. Sajid Yousfani, told Arab News in Jeddah that the mission was “getting full support and co-operation” from Saudi officials to facilitate Pakistani Hajj pilgrims.
Over 173,000 Pakistani pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia for Hajj
Over 173,000 Pakistani pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia for Hajj
- Kingdom had increased Pakistan’s quota to 200,000 for Hajj 2019
- Pakistani pilgrims widely enjoyed “Road to Makkah” program with pre-departure immigration facility this year
Pakistan backs ‘One-China’ policy amid renewed Taiwan tensions
- Foreign Office calls China ‘iron-clad’ friend and strategic partner
- Taiwan is claimed by Beijing but governs itself as a democracy
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi on Friday expressed support for China, saying the country would adhere to the “One-China principle,” with Taiwan regarded as part of Chinese territory.
The development comes after Beijing intensified military pressure with large-scale live-fire drills and simulated blockade exercises near the island, viewed as a show of force to deter foreign support for Taiwan’s independence. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and seeks eventual reunification, but Taiwan operates as a self-governing democracy that resists Beijing’s control.
Addressing a media query, Andrabi described Pakistan and China as “iron-clad” friends and “all-weather strategic cooperative partners.”
“We reiterate our consistent support for China on all matters of its core interests, including Taiwan,” he added. “We will continue to adhere to the One-China principle and regard Taiwan as an inalienable part of China.”
Beijing launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter jets, navy ships and coast guard vessels earlier this week to encircle Taiwan. The show of force came after the United States approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan.
The United States has been committed for decades to ensuring Taiwan’s self-defense, while staying ambiguous on whether the US military would intervene in an invasion.
China’s latest exercises were the sixth major round of maneuvers since 2022, when a visit to Taiwan by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi enraged Beijing.
These developments have heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait, raising concerns about regional stability and the risk of conflict.
