ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Makkah Route Initiative memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday, paving the way for Pakistanis to benefit from an initiative aimed at facilitating Hajj pilgrims from across the Muslim world.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Dr. Nasser bin Abdul Aziz Al-Dawood, Saudi deputy interior minister, inked the MoU in a televised ceremony held at the Prime Minister's House in Islamabad. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers, and Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Pakistan.

The Makkah Route 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.

Earlier, in a ceremony held to honor the Saudi deputy interior minister who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan, Sanaullah said he has requested Saudi authorities to extend the Makkah Route Initiative to airports in Lahore and Karachi next year.

“His excellency [Saudi deputy interior minister] has promised that the number of Pakistani pilgrims who are traveling from Islamabad through Makkah Route Initiative will be increased from 26,000 to 40,000 and for next year, I and the minister of religious affairs have requested to provide this facility from Lahore and Karachi as well,” Sanaullah said.

In a separate meeting with the Saudi deputy interior minister, PM Sharif praised the kingdom for including Pakistan in the Makkah Route Initiative, according to the PMO. On Saudi Arabia's decision to restore diplomatic relations with Iran, Sharif hoped the move would usher in regional stability and security. 

The Saudi minister thanked PM Sharif for Pakistan's hospitality, saying that the two countries enjoy historic brotherly relations. He said the Makkah Route Initiative would be extended to Lahore and Peshawar from the next year to facilitate more Pakistani pilgrims. 

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.