ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry on Friday announced the successful completion of a survey carried out by a Saudi delegation at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi to fast track the implementation of Makkah Route Initiative to facilitate local pilgrims ahead of the Hajj season this year.
Launched as part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan, the initiative allows for the completion of immigration procedures at the pilgrim’s country of departure, making it possible to bypass long immigration and customs checks upon reaching Saudi Arabia, which significantly reduces the waiting time and makes the entry process smoother and faster.
Pakistani pilgrims performing Hajj under the government scheme have been availing this facility at the airport in Islamabad for the last couple of years. But the government wants the initiative to be extended to other cities as well.
“Saudi immigration and customs clearance of pilgrims traveling from Karachi will be completed at the airport in the Pakistani city,” announced the office of Dr. Syed Atta-ur-Rahman, federal secretary at the ministry, on Friday. “There is a strong likelihood that Saudi officials will introduce the latest immigration technology at the Karachi airport, enabling the immigration processes to be completed in less than a minute.”
Pilgrims availing the Makkah Route Initiative will get their luggage right at their doorstep. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman said the modern system would significantly reduce complaints of lost luggage.
Pakistan expects more than 60 percent of pilgrims performing Hajj this year to benefit from the initiative. People opting for the private Hajj scheme can also avail the facility, provided that the company providing them services have contacted the ministry for the purpose.
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.
This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14 till June 19.
Pakistan announces completion of survey for Makkah Route Initiative at Karachi airport ahead of Hajj season
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Pakistan announces completion of survey for Makkah Route Initiative at Karachi airport ahead of Hajj season
- More than 60 percent of Pakistani pilgrims on government program are likely to benefit from the initiative this year
- Private Hajj operators can also avail the facility for pilgrims by contacting ministry officials for the purpose on time
Pakistan refineries urge regulator to curb fuel imports, citing supply chain risks
- Industry cites rules requiring priority use of locally refined fuel
- Dispute highlights pressure on Pakistan’s energy security and refinery viability
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s major oil refineries this week jointly urged the country’s energy regulator to step in and limit fuel imports, warning that excessive reliance on overseas supplies is undermining domestic refining operations and threatening the stability of the national oil supply chain.
In a letter sent to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the chief executives of Attock Refinery Limited, Pakistan Refinery Limited, National Refinery Limited, Pak-Arab Refinery Limited and Cnergyico PK said current regulatory decisions were allowing imported petroleum products to displace locally refined fuel, despite rules requiring domestic output to be prioritized.
OGRA is Pakistan’s federal regulator responsible for overseeing oil and gas markets, including licensing, pricing frameworks and supply planning. The dispute comes as Pakistan, which imports most of its crude oil and refined fuel, seeks to balance energy security concerns with cost pressures and foreign exchange constraints.
“As clearly stipulated in Rule 35(g) of the Pakistan Oil (Refining, Blending, Transportation, Storage, and Marketing) Rules, 2016, the upliftment of locally produced refinery products must be prioritized before any imports are considered,” the refineries wrote in a letter dated Dec. 10. “Unfortunately, the excessive imports allowed by OGRA have worsened the situation on ground.”
Rule 35(g) requires that fuel produced by Pakistan’s refineries be taken up by oil marketing companies before additional imports are approved, a provision designed to protect local refining capacity and ensure steady utilization of plants that are critical to national supply.
The refineries warned that continued preference for imports could disrupt operations, reduce refinery utilization rates and weaken Pakistan’s ability to respond to supply shocks, particularly for products such as aviation fuel and diesel. They called on OGRA to take “urgent and proactive intervention” to ensure timely off-take of locally produced fuel.
Pakistan’s refining sector has long struggled with aging infrastructure, limited upgrading and thin margins, while imports are often seen as cheaper or more flexible in the short term. However, industry officials argue that over-reliance on imports increases exposure to global price volatility, shipping disruptions and foreign exchange pressure.
The letter was also copied to the federal minister for energy, the secretary of the petroleum division and the director general of oil, indicating the issue has been escalated beyond the regulator to senior policymakers.
Energy analysts say the dispute underscores broader tensions in Pakistan’s energy market, where policy decisions must balance consumer prices, refinery survival and long-term energy security. Any regulatory shift could affect fuel availability, refinery investment plans and the country’s import bill at a time when Pakistan remains under economic strain.
OGRA has not yet commented on the letter.
