ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, visited Islamabad International Airport on Tuesday and met with the Saudi team that installed pre-departure immigration system at the airport under Road to Makkah project to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims, the Saudi embassy in Islamabad said tweeted on Wednesday.
The envoy thanked the Saudi officials for their efforts and their active role in facilitating the procedures for pilgrims, the embassy said.
Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki visited Islamabad International Airport, on Tuesday, and met with the Saudi immigration officials. Group photo with Saudi team (Saudi Embassy Twitter)
On July 1, a team of Saudi officials set up the pilot immigration project at Pakistan’s Islamabad International Airport which has thus far extended immigration clearance to around 30,000 Pakistani pilgrims flying from Islamabad after scrutinizing their travel documents.
The last government-organized flights for Hajj will leave for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, with the year’s remaining passengers from Pakistan en-route to the annual Muslim pilgrimage, while the last private flight from Pakistan will leave on Thursday.
Hajj flights for the 200,000 Pakistani pilgrims commenced on July 4.
With the Hajj only few days away, majority of pilgrims from Pakistan and elsewhere have already reached Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan’s director general for Hajj mission, Dr. Sajid Yousfani, had earlier told Arab News that the mission was “getting full support and co-operation” from Saudi officials to facilitate Pakistani Hajj pilgrims.
Pakistan Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, is also in Saudi Arabia to ensure the pilgrims are facilitated in every way.
