ISLAMABAD: Saudi Hajj Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said on Monday the Kingdom and Pakistan had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) titled the ‘Air Services Agreement’ to increase the number of flights between the two countries.
Al-Rabiah, who is also chairman of the administrative board of the Two Holy Mosques, is in Pakistan on a four-day visit. He is leading a large delegation comprising the deputy ministers of Hajj and Umrah, tourism and international cooperation, the president of Saudi Airlines, the general authority of civil aviation, and representatives from Saudi Aviation.
“During this visit, we signed an MOU with the help of Allah, the Air Services Agreement,” Al-Rabiah said at a joint press conference with Pakistan’s Caretaker Minister of Religious Affairs, Aneeq Ahmed.
“Under this agreement, the number of flights between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will increase due to which the cost of travel will also be reduced.”
Saudi Hajj Minister Dr. Tawfig Al-Rabiah (right) addresses joint press conference with Pakistani caretaker religious affairs minister Aneeq Ahmed in Islamabad, Pakistan on August 21, 2023. (AN Photo)
Al-Rabiah said his delegation had held a meeting with Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and discussed “opportunities and challenges to ensure maximum facilities for Pakistani visitors.”
The minister said a substantial number of Pakistanis had visited Saudi Arabia last year and the Kingdom anticipated an even greater number this year.
“In efforts to enhance the pilgrimage experience, we’ve renovated and opened eight historical sites in Madinah,” he said, and approximately 100 more sites would open soon in Makkah and Madinah.
Saudi Arabia aimed to enhance pilgrim services by opening up competition among companies, thereby improving services and reducing costs, the minister added.
“As part of these initiatives, we will inaugurate a Nasuk exhibition in Karachi tomorrow and meet with Umrah tour operators and companies, aiming to simplify the process further,” Al-Rabiah said.
Nusuk is the first-ever official planning, booking and experience platform to create Hajj or Umrah itineraries to Makkah, Madina, and beyond. With Nusuk, travelers from all over the world can easily organize their entire visit, from applying for an eVisa to booking hotels and flights.
Pakistani and Saudi delegations hold talks in Islamabad, Pakistan on August 21, 2023. (Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Religious Affairs)
Pakistani minister Ahmed expressed gratitude to the Kingdom for restoring Pakistan’s pre-pandemic Hajj quota of 179,210 and requested the visiting minister to increase the figure as Pakistan’s population had increased by at least 20 million as per a new census.
“We have requested the Excellency [Saudi Hajj Minister] that our census shows a population of around 240 million, so, please increase the quota and he has promised that the quota will increase,” he added.
Ahmed said he also requested the visiting minister to expand the Makkah Route Initiative in Pakistan. The project was launched in 2019 in Pakistan and four other Muslim countries, streamlining Hajj visas, customs and health requirements at departure airports. This year, over 26,000 Pakistani pilgrims benefited from the project at Islamabad airport where the facility has been introduced.
“We want this facility to move forward, by including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar and his excellency promised us that he will work on it,” Ahmed said.
Pakistan has also requested a fingerprinting exemption for Pakistani pilgrims above the age of 65, the minister added.
