ISLAMABAD: The first batch of 720 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims arrived in Jeddah on Friday, Pakistani state media reported, a day after Pakistan diverted its pre-Hajj flights from Madinah.
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.
These 720 Pakistani pilgrims departed from Islamabad and Karachi under the Makkah Route initiative and arrived via Saudia airline flights that landed at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, the APP news agency reported.
“The first flight SV-3705, with 370 passengers on board, arrived by 5 a.m. (local time) and the second SV-3727 landed at 6:10 a.m. carrying 350 Hajj pilgrims,” the report read.
Head of Pakistan Hajj Mission Abdul Wahab Soomro, Consul General Khalid Majeed and senior officials of the Pakistani Ministry of Religious Affairs as well as representatives of the Saudi government welcomed the pilgrims.
Under the Makkah Route initiative, the passengers directly left for their hotels avoiding long queues at the immigration counters and their luggage was shifted automatically to their residences.
In the first phase of Pakistan’s pre-Hajj flight operation, a total of 34,316 Pakistanis reached Madinah by May 23 through 146 flights, according to the report.
From May 24 to June 09, as many as 114 flights will be transporting 34,422 Pakistanis to Jeddah.
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.
First batch of Pakistani Hajj pilgrims arrives in Jeddah
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First batch of Pakistani Hajj pilgrims arrives in Jeddah
- A total of 34,316 Pakistanis reached Madinah by May 23 in first phase of Pakistan’s pre-Hajj flight operation
- As many as 114 flights will be transporting another 34,422 Pakistani pilgrims to Jeddah from May 24 to June 9
Deputy PM Dar, Etisalat chairman discuss investment, stake in Pakistan’s PTCL
- The development comes against backdrop of a long-running dispute over PTCL privatization
- The issue has resurfaced in recent years as Pakistan seeks to advance privatization plans
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Jassem Mohammed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, chairman of Etisalat (e&) and the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance, and discussed with him investment prospects, including Etisalat’s stake in Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the Pakistani foreign ministry said on Saturday.
The planned meeting with the Etisalat chairman comes against the backdrop of a long-running dispute over the privatization of PTCL. The UAE-based telecom group has withheld a final payment of about $800 million linked to its 2005 acquisition of a 26 percent stake in PTCL, citing delays in the transfer of properties included in the deal, a position disputed by Pakistan.
The issue has resurfaced in recent years as Pakistan seeks to revive investor confidence, advance privatization plans and stabilize its finances under a program backed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“The meeting reviewed Pakistan-UAE trade & economic cooperation, explored opportunities to enhance investment, and discussed e&’s pending issues and ongoing engagement in Pakistan, including through its stake in PTCL,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
Pakistan and the UAE maintain close political and economic ties, with Abu Dhabi providing critical financial support to Islamabad in recent years through deposits, loans and investment commitments as Pakistan navigates a fragile economic recovery.
“DPM/FM highlighted the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating investment by the private sector and partner countries, and to further strengthening economic cooperation between the two brotherly countries,” the foreign ministry said after the meeting.
The Pakistani deputy PM arrived in the UAE on Friday on an official visit following his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, according to his ministry. He will also hold meetings with other UAE officials during the visit.
