Pakistan praises Saudi Arabia over facilitating Hajj for its nationals

Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, of which 63,805 people will perform the pilgrimage under the government scheme while the rest will use private tour operators. This year’s Hajj is expected to run from June 14-19. (SPA)
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Updated 18 May 2024
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Pakistan praises Saudi Arabia over facilitating Hajj for its nationals

  • Pakistani pilgrims have been arriving in Madinah since May 9 when pre-Hajj flight operations were launched
  • Pakistani minister is currently visiting Madinah to oversee Hajj arrangements for his nationals

RIYADH: Pakistani Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain expressed his appreciation to Saudi Arabia for the exceptional services and facilities provided to Pakistani pilgrims who will be taking part in Hajj this year.

Minister Hussain’s remarks came in a statement delivered in Madinah, where he is currently visiting to oversee Hajj arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, of whom 63,805 will perform the pilgrimage under the government scheme while the rest will use private tour operators. This year’s Hajj is expected to run from June 14-19.

Pakistani pilgrims have been arriving in Madinah since May 9 when pre-Hajj flight operations were launched. Over 20,000 Pakistani pilgrims have so far arrived in Madinah under the government scheme.

The Pakistani official particularly praised the Saudi leadership for launching the Makkah Route Initiative at Karachi International Airport, mirroring the program already established at Islamabad International Airport.

Hussain said he was confident the initiative would be extended to Lahore Airport in the coming year.


Winners of orphans’ Olympiad announced in Al-Qunfudhah

Updated 13 January 2026
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Winners of orphans’ Olympiad announced in Al-Qunfudhah

  • Honors for physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology
  • Event includes training for primary, secondary pupils

RIYADH: The winners of the first Scientific Excellence Olympiad for orphans’ associations were announced in Al-Qunfudhah governorate on Monday.

The event was organized by the Orphans’ Association in Wadi Hali, in partnership with the Council for Orphans’ Associations, under the patronage of Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal.

Al-Qunfudhah Gov. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Qubba’ handed out the awards.

Thirty-eight associations from the Kingdom participated in the event representing 86 percent of all beneficiaries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Abuwah Orphans Care Association in Unaizah won first place in the associations category, followed by the Kafel Orphans Care Association in Makkah, and the Binaa Orphans Care Association in the Eastern Province.

In the academic category, the Kafel Orphans Care Association won first place in mathematics, chemistry, and biology.

The Abuwah Orphans Care Association won first place in physics, second place in mathematics and biology, and third in chemistry.

The Binaa Orphans Care Association took home second in chemistry and physics, and third in mathematics.

The Insan Orphans Care Association in Riyadh came third in physics, while the Abnaouna Orphans Care Association in Khulais came third in biology.

Also, the Atf Orphans Care Association in Al-Aridah received the Media Excellence Banner Award for its efforts in tandem with the Olympiad’s activities.

The Olympiad’s training activities included problem-solving, decision-making, self-confidence, communication, and examination preparedness.

Indicators are used to measure the impact and sustainability of these programs for those at primary and secondary school levels.