ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Hajj directorate in the Saudi city of Madinah held a meeting to preplan for a “smooth and comfortable” pilgrimage for Pakistanis next year with a focus on accommodation, transport, health care and other needs of pilgrims, the ministry of religious affairs said on Monday.
At least 160,000 Pakistanis attended this year’s annual Hajj pilgrimage, which ran from June 14-19.
“The primary agenda of the meeting was to devise strategies to enhance the facilities and services provided to Pakistani pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj,” the ministry’s statement said.
“The importance of proactive planning and coordination to ensure that all pilgrims have a comfortable and spiritually fulfilling experience.”
Issues raised during the meeting included improvement of accommodation, transportation and health care services as well as training and support through digitalization.
Syed Mushahid Hussain Khalid, Director General (Research & Reference), highlighted the religious affair ministry’s commitment to “leveraging technology for better management and service delivery” during Hajj 2025.
The fifth pillar of Islam, the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah is mandatory once in a lifetime for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it and is the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity. Eid Al-Adha, one of Islam’s two main festivals, marks the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, when Muslims slaughter animals to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim, or Abraham, to sacrifice his son on God’s command.
