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, Libya discuss defense and counterterrorism cooperation during army chief’s visit
- Military says Field Marshal Asim Munir met Libyan Commander-in-Chief Khalifa Belqasim Haftar during the visit
- Unlike several other states in the region, bilateral defense collaboration remains limited between the two countries
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Libya discussed enhancing defense cooperation, with a focus on training and counterterrorism partnership, during a visit by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir to the North African country, the military said in a statement on Thursday.
Pakistan and Libya established diplomatic relations in 1951, with ties particularly close during the era of former Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, when Tripoli positioned itself as a supporter of Muslim causes and developing countries, including
Pakistan. Relations have been more restrained since Libya’s political upheaval in 2011.
According to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Munir met Field Marshal Khalifa Belqasim Haftar, commander-in-chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, and Lt. Gen. Saddam Khalifa Haftar, deputy commander-in-chief, during the visit.
“Both sides underscored the importance of collaboration in training, capacity building and counterterrorism domains,” ISPR said in a statement.
“Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening defense ties with Libya, based on shared interests,” it added.
ISPR said Munir was accorded a guard of honor by a contingent of the Libyan Armed Forces on arrival and that the talks also covered matters of mutual interest, regional security dynamics and avenues for expanding military-to-military cooperation.
The Libyan military leadership appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan armed forces and expressed a desire to expand defense cooperation between the two countries, the statement said.
Unlike Pakistan’s relations with some Gulf and Middle Eastern states, there is currently no significant defense or military cooperation between Islamabad and Tripoli, with engagement remaining limited amid Libya’s prolonged political instability.
