Pakistani pilgrims fly into Saudi Arabia after COVID-19 restrictions lifted

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Mohammed Saleh Benten (2nd-L), Minister of Hajj and Umrah, welcomes Pakistani travellers arriving in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Sunday. (AFP)
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Pakistani Umrah pilgrims arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on November 1, 2020. (SPA)
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A mask-clad Pakistani traveller arriving in Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah pilgrimage, is welcomed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in the city of Jeddah on November 1, 2020. (AFP)
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Pakistani travellers arriving in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah walk with their luggage at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on November 1, 2020. (AFP)
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Updated 01 November 2020
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Pakistani pilgrims fly into Saudi Arabia after COVID-19 restrictions lifted

  • Flights carrying Pakistani and Indonesian pilgrims arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah
  • Strict preventative measures are being taken to ensure the safety of all pilgrims

LONDON: The first flight carrying international Umrah pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday after restrictions to curb COVID-19 were lifted.
The flight carrying Pakistani pilgrims arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and they were greeted by Hajj and Umrah Minister Mohammed Saleh Benten.




A Pakistani traveller arrives in Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah pilgrimage and is welcomed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on November 1, 2020. (AFP)

Later on Sunday, a flight carrying Indonesian pilgrims arrived at the airport.

International pilgrims are being allowed to perform Umrah as part of the third stage of the Kingdom’s plan to safely resume the pilgrimage amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

During the third stage, the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah will be working at 100 percent operation.
Strict preventative measures are being taken to ensure the safety of all pilgrims.


Pakistani national in Dubai killed by falling debris from ‘aerial interception’

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Pakistani national in Dubai killed by falling debris from ‘aerial interception’

  • Pakistani driver killed on Saturday as debris falls on vehicle in Al Barsha area, confirms Government of Dubai Media Office
  • Iran has targeted Gulf countries hosting US troops with missile, drone attacks since Middle East conflict began last week 

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani national was killed this week after debris from an aerial interception fell on a vehicle in Dubai, the Government of Dubai Media Office confirmed on Sunday.

The incident took place in Dubai’s Al Barsha area, the Dubai Media Office wrote on social media platform X, without confirming the location from where the projectile was fired from. 

“Authorities confirm that debris from an aerial interception fell onto a vehicle in the Al Barsha area, resulting in the death of a Pakistani driver,” the Dubai Media Office said. 

This is the second Pakistani national killed in the UAE since the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. As per local media reports, a Pakistani national died in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 28 after being struck by missile fragments. 

Pakistani and Nepalese nationals were among six people injured by falling debris on Thursday after the UAE’s air defense systems intercepted drones, the Abu Dhabi Media Office had confirmed in a statement. 

Iran has carried out several missile and drone attacks on Gulf countries hosting American troops since Isreal and the US launched coordinated strikes against it last week. The surprise attack came after months of negotiations between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program. 

Pakistan has asked its citizens in Gulf states to exercise caution, avoid travel and strictly follow official adviseries ever since tensions escalated in the region last week.

The UAE is home to over 1.5 million Pakistani expatriates, one of the largest communities of overseas Pakistanis worldwide.

Pakistan has condemned the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran but also criticized Tehran’s attacks that have targeted countries in the Gulf region, advising all parties to exercise restraint. 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday apologized to Gulf neighbors for the attacks, saying Tehran would halt strikes unless attacks against Iran originate from their territories. 

However, questions were raised over the apology as air defense sirens and interceptions were reported in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Bahrain later on Saturday, fueling uncertainty across the Gulf.