ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will be selecting assistants for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage through the National Testing Service (NTS) exam for the first time in its history, the country’s caretaker religious affairs minister said on Sunday.
Pakistan selects hundreds of assistants and doctors every year to facilitate local pilgrims in Saudi Arabia in performing rituals of the annual pilgrimage.
The individuals who intended to assist pilgrims during this year’s Hajj sat the NTS exam on Sunday to be able to proceed further.
“An important work is starting today. The selection of Hajj assistants is being done for the first time through the National Testing Service,” Religious Affairs Minister Aneeq Ahmed said, after witnessing the examination process at an NTS center in Islamabad.
“Keeping transparency in mind, selection is being done through NTS for the first time in history.”
Last year, Pakistan selected 794 Hajj assistants, while this year the country intends to pick 625 individuals to facilitate the pilgrims, according to the minister.
There will be 540 doctors on Hajj duty this year, who would be providing medical attention to pilgrims.
“Those passing the written test will perform better during the Hajj pilgrimage,” Ahmed said, promising to facilitate the pilgrims to the best.
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.
In December, Pakistan announced the results of a draw for Hajj 2024, with more than 63,000 applicants selected for the pilgrimage under the government scheme. The remaining candidates will apply through private tour operators.
Last month, the South Asian country began Hajj 2024 training workshops and educational sessions, designed by the government to educate pilgrims about the rituals and procedures of performing the pilgrimage.
In a first, Pakistan to select assistants for Hajj 2024 through National Testing Service exam
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In a first, Pakistan to select assistants for Hajj 2024 through National Testing Service exam
- Pakistan selects hundreds of assistants, doctors every year to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage
- Religious Affairs Minister Aneeq Ahmed says picking Hajj assistants via NTS will ensure transparency, better performance
Pakistan eyes enhancing mines, minerals cooperation with Saudi Arabia at Future Minerals Forum 2026
- Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik meets Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef in Riyadh
- Saudi minister offers to support Pakistan’s mining industry via Kingdom’s knowledge and expertise, says Pakistan’s petroleum ministry
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik met Saudi Arabia’s minister of industry and mineral resources at the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh on Monday, the Pakistani petroleum ministry said, during which both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the mines and minerals sector.
Malik is leading the Pakistani delegation at the FMF 2026 summit in Riyadh. The Jan. 13-15 event is expected to attract around 20,000 representatives from governments, businesses, multilateral and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and trade associations from more than 160 countries, organizers said. At least 13 public and private companies from Pakistan’s mines and mineral sector are participating in the event.
“The minister held a meeting with Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef, during which both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the minerals and mining sector,” the Pakistani petroleum ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said Alkhorayef pointed out “vast opportunities” for cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the mineral sector, adding that the Kingdom would support the development of Pakistan’s mining industry through its knowledge and technical expertise.
Malik said fertilizer production and medical devices manufacturing sectors also present important opportunities for joint ventures between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a leader in the global minerals and energy sectors and accelerated investments in green technologies, sustainable mining practices and international collaborations that are shaping the future of the mines and mineral industry.
Pakistan organized a minerals summit in April 2025 which saw participation from major international companies including the Canada-based Barrick Gold and officials from the US, Saudi Arabia, China, Türkiye, UK, Azerbaijan and other nations.
Islamabad also plans to organize a Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum this year to attract foreign investment in its mines and minerals sector. Pakistan lies in the middle of the mineral-rich geological zone, called the ‘Tethyan Belt,’ where one of the world’s largest copper-gold mines is currently under development at Reko Diq.
This mine is expected to start production by 2028.
