ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Tuesday met with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah and commended the innovative reforms implemented by the Saudi authorities to facilitate Hajj pilgrims, the Pakistani religious affair ministry said.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime if they are financially and physically able.
According to Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry, 26,711 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of next month’s Hajj, less than two weeks after Pakistan kicked off its pre-Hajj flight operation.
Hussain arrived in Saudi Arabia last week to review Pakistan’s arrangements for Hajj pilgrims and has since toured various departments as well as met with Saudi authorities.
“Hussain appreciated the innovative and exemplary reforms of the Saudi authorities for the facilitation of Hajj pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom from across the globe,” Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry said in a statement.
The two figures had a detailed discussion regarding bilateral relations and arrangements for Hajj 2024, according to the statement. Hussain lauded the Kingdom for extending the best facilities and excellent support to the pilgrims.
He described the progress on new Pakistan Houses, which house the country’s Hajj missions, in Makkah and Madinah as “positive.”
“Saudi companies responsible for providing services under the leadership of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah are doing a good job,” Hussain was quoted as saying in the statement.
Hussain also discussed the matter of pending transport contracts for 40,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims facilitated by private tour operators, to which the Saudi minister assured him the matter would be resolved within the next few days.
“Pakistan’s Hajj group operators should reform and follow Saudi directives,” Hussain urged, saying his ministry would take action if pilgrims faced inconvenience due to private operators.
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 pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14 till June 19.
Pakistan religion minister applauds Saudi Arabia for innovation in facilitation of Hajj pilgrims
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Pakistan religion minister applauds Saudi Arabia for innovation in facilitation of Hajj pilgrims
- Hajj is one of five pillars of Islam and requires every Muslim to undertake the journey at least once
- Around 26,711 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the next month’s pilgrimage
Pakistan PM to join dialogue panel, meet global leaders at World Economic Forum
- Sharif to address Pakistan breakfast event and attend informal world leaders’ meeting in Davos
- Deputy PM Ishaq Dar inaugurates Pakistan Pavilion to display start-ups and investment potential
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to step up Pakistan’s engagement at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, participating in a panel discussion on dialogue in an increasingly divided world and meeting international leaders and heads of global institutions.
Sharif flew to Switzerland a day earlier to attend the WEF’s 56th annual meeting.
The WEF brings together heads of state, senior government officials, business executives and leaders of international organizations to discuss global economic, political and social challenges.
“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will have a busy day in Davos today,” his office said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon.
“The prime minister will attend a Pakistan breakfast event and will also address the gathering,” it added. “He will take part in an informal meeting of world leaders this year themed ‘The Importance of Dialogue in a Divided Global Landscape.’”
On the sidelines of the WEF, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who is accompanying Sharif, inaugurated the Pathfinder Group’s Pakistan Pavilion, describing it as a platform to project Pakistan’s economic potential and the growing role of innovation-driven enterprises.
“He underscored the critical role of start-ups in advancing socio-economic development and driving innovation across diverse sectors,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that the government remained committed to supporting entrepreneurs, particularly youth-led ventures.
Pakistan’s participation at the WEF comes as Islamabad seeks to sustain recent economic stabilization and attract investment by engaging directly with policymakers, business leaders and international institutions at the annual gathering.
