ISLAMABAD: Saudi deputy interior minister, Dr. Nasser bin Abdul Aziz Al-Dawood, will sign an agreement on the Road to Makkah project at the Pakistani Prime Minister’s House today, Wednesday, paving the way for Pakistanis to benefit from an initiative aimed at facilitating Hajj pilgrims from across the Muslim world.
The Route to Makkah initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s Guests of God Service Program, which King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud inaugurated in 2019 under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to diversify the economy. Under the scheme, Hajj pilgrims go through immigration facilities at their respective countries’ airports.
“The Saudi Deputy Minister of Interior will sign the MOU for the Route to Makkah project at the Prime Minister’s House today,” religion affairs ministry spokesperson Muhammad Umer Butt told Arab News.
“Approximately 26,000 Pakistanis will benefit from this project through Islamabad Airport. The Saudi immigration and customs will be done at Islamabad Airport, allowing the travelers to reach their accommodations in Saudi Arabia in a short time.”
The ministry is “striving” to expand this facility to other cities of Pakistan in the coming years, Butt said, adding that a Route to Makkah team, including Saudi officials, had arrived in Pakistan today, Wednesday.
Al-Dawood is on a two-day visit to Pakistan and will meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as well as the interior minister, federal minister for narcotics control and the army chief.
The Saudi official arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday and held detailed discussions about Hajj arrangements with Pakistan’s religious affairs minister Senator Talha Mahmood.
“They exchanged views on various matters of mutual interest, including the Makkah Route project, arrangements for Hajj, and other areas of cooperation,” a statement issued after their meeting said.
Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki also hosted a dinner reception at the embassy on Tuesday night where Al-Dawood and other members of his delegation interacted with the Pakistani interior minister and other cabinet members.
Saudi Arabia restored Pakistan’s pre-pandemic Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims earlier this year and eliminated the age restriction of 65.
Authorities estimate approximately 80,000 Pakistani pilgrims will participate in Hajj this year under the government scheme, while over 91,000 will use private tour operators.
As per the Pakistani religious affairs ministry, Hajj flights from the country will commence on May 21, with the final flight departing for Saudi Arabia on June 21.
