ISLAMABAD: A delegation of Saudi officials will arrive in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi on Feb. 26 to review direct immigration arrangements for Hajj pilgrims at the city’s Jinnah International Airport, according to a notification by Pakistan’s religion ministry this month.
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.
Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry said last year it planned to expand the Makkah Route Initiative to airports in cities other than Islamabad as well, notably Karachi.
“A Saudi delegation for upscaling of Route to Makkah project will be arriving on 26-02-2024 (Monday) at the Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, in order to have a survey for area to be allocated at the airport and to meet all relevant authorities at the airport,” a letter by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) dated Feb. 14 said.
The notification said the delegation would meet officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Pakistan Customs, Airport Security Force (ASF), Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and Immigration department in Karachi.
Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, will accompany the delegation during their visit to the airport, the notification said.
The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage that has been in practice for over 1,400 years. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires every adult Muslim to undertake a journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime (if they are financially and physically able). This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14 till June 19.
Saudi Arabia last year restored Pakistan’s pre-pandemic Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims and abolished the upper age limit of 65 years. More than 81,000 Pakistani pilgrims performed Hajj under the government scheme in 2023, while the rest used private tour operators.
Saudi officials to review Makkah Route Initiative arrangements at Karachi airport next week
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Saudi officials to review Makkah Route Initiative arrangements at Karachi airport next week
- Pakistan’s religion ministry announced last year it would extend Makkah Route Initiative to cities other than Islamabad
- Saudi officials to arrive in Karachi on Feb. 26 to inspect Makkah Route Initiative arrangements, says aviation authority
Daesh media chief for ISKP in Pakistan’s custody — state media
- Sultan Aziz Azzam, a senior member of ISKP, used to head its Al Azzam media outlet, says state media
- Azzam was arrested in May while attempting to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan, says state media
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have taken into custody Sultan Aziz Azzam, the head of Daesh regional affiliate ISKP’s media outlet, state media reported on Thursday citing intelligence sources.
The state-run Pakistan TV Digital reported that Azzam was a senior member of ISKP and hailed from Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. As per the state media report, he is also a graduate of the University of Nangarhar where he studied Islamic jurisprudence.
Pakistan TV Digital reported Azzam joined ISKP in 2016 and later became a prominent member of its leadership council.
“He was arrested in May 2025 while attempting to cross from Afghanistan into Pakistan,” Pakistan TV Digital reported, citing intelligence sources.
“He is believed to have overseen media operations and headed ISKP’s Al Azzam media outlet.”
In November 2021, Washington listed Azzam as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” (SDGT). The move bars American citizens from engaging in transactions with persons designated as SDGTs.
According to a report on the UN Security Council’s website, Azzam has played an “instrumental role” in spreading Daesh’s violent ideology, glorifying and justifying “terrorist acts.”
“Building on his former experience as an Afghan journalist, his activity as ISIL-K’s spokesperson has increased ISIL-K’s visibility and influence among its followers,” the report states.
The report further states Azzam claimed responsibility on behalf of Daesh for the suicide attack near Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 26, 2021, which killed at least 170 Afghans and 13 US service members and injured 150 more.
The development takes place amid tense relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Islamabad alleging militants use Afghan soil to carry out attacks against Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegations.
Tensions surged in October when Pakistan and Afghanistan engaged in fierce border clashes, claiming to have killed dozens of soldiers of the other side.
Pakistan has urged the Afghan Taliban-led government to take “decisive action” against militants it says operate from its soil. Afghanistan says it cannot be held responsible for Pakistan’s security challenges.
