ISLAMABAD: More than 41,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia on 170 flights since the government started transporting people aspiring to perform the annual pilgrimage earlier this month, said a statement released by the religious affairs ministry on Thursday.
This year, the Pakistani Hajj Mission in the kingdom expects to host 70,105 people under the government scheme and more than 80,000 facilitated by private companies
“As of today, 41,477 government Hajj pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia on 170 flights,” the ministry said in its statement. “In the next ten days, an additional 28,628 government Hajj pilgrims will reach Makkah.”
It informed that more than 10,500 pilgrims had already arrived in the kingdom under the private Hajj scheme, adding that all pilgrims that first went to Madinah would reach Makkah by June 1.
“The Pak Hajj mobile app, two toll-free helplines, and four WhatsApp numbers are being used to address the complaints of Hajj pilgrims,” the ministry said.
“282 doctors and medical staff are providing medical facilities through two central hospitals and a dozen dispensaries,” it added.
It also said 454 food-related, 1,123 residential and 264 transport complaints had been resolved by the mission in the last 20 days.
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.
Pakistan began its Hajj flight operation on May 9, which will continue till June 9.
This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14 till June 19.
Over 41,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia via 170 flights
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Over 41,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia via 170 flights
- Pakistan is using a mobile app, toll-free helplines and WhatsApp numbers to address pilgrims’ complaints
- Nearly 280 doctors, medical staff are helping pilgrims at two central hospitals and a dozen dispensaries
Pakistan PM to attend World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland next month
- The WEF meeting, scheduled to be held in Davos on Jan. 19-23, will focus on global challenges, public-private dialogue and cooperation
- Government, business, civil society and academia leaders will engage in forward-looking discussions to address these issues, set priorities
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Switzerland next month to attend the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Pakistani state media reported on Monday.
The WEF annual meeting, themed as ‘A Spirit of Dialogue,’ will be held from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23 in Davos, where world leaders from government, business, civil society and academia will engage in forward-looking discussions to address global issues and set priorities.
Prime Minister Sharif is expected to interact with global leaders and investors on economic challenges, regional and international issues and various opportunities for cooperation.
On Monday, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar presided over a meeting in Islamabad to oversee preparations for Sharif’s upcoming visit to Switzerland to attend the WEF meeting, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Dar instructed to maximize the engagements with the incoming Heads of States, Governments and senior leadership of economic, business and financial institutions,” the report read.
The WEF meeting program will be structured around key global challenges where public-private dialogue and cooperation, involving all stakeholders, is necessary for progress, according to the WEF website.
In addressing these challenges, growth, resilience and innovation will serve as cross-cutting imperatives, guiding how leaders engage with today’s complexity and pursue tomorrow’s opportunities.
Pakistani foreign ministry officials briefed the deputy PM about preparations for the WEF meeting, according to Radio Pakistan. The participants of Monday’s meeting in Islamabad discussed in detail the bilateral component and media engagements during the visit.
“He [Dar] further stressed that opportunities be explored to foster collaboration with private sector business entities,” the state broadcaster said.
