ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has invited “practical suggestions” from stakeholders before the issuance of a policy for Hajj 2025, it said on Monday.
The statement came during a meeting of officials of the religious affairs ministry to review Pakistan’s arrangements for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
The participants observed the official Hajj scheme offered “excellent” accommodation, intercity transport, food and services to pilgrims, according to the religious affairs ministry.
“In light of the last Hajj, practical suggestions should be prepared and submitted to the Hajj department for further improvement in the government scheme,” Religious Affairs Secretary Zulfiqar Haider was quoted as saying by the ministry.
Pakistan successfully concluded its post-Hajj 2024 operations on July 21. The annual Islamic pilgrimage was held from June 14 till June 19, with millions of pilgrims from all parts of the world performing the rituals.
Out of Pakistan’s total quota of 179,210 pilgrims, around 160,000 from the country performed Hajj this year through both the government scheme and private tour operators, according to the religious affairs ministry.
Pakistan’s national airline also announced in a statement it had concluded its post-Hajj operations on July 21.
“A total of 143 flights were operated in the post-Hajj operations out of which 61 went to Jeddah and 82 to Madinah,” the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) said in a statement. “A total of 34,663 pilgrims returned to their homes after performing the rituals.”
Of these, 19,278 had performed Hajj under the government scheme and 14,754 through private tour operators, the airline added.
Pakistan religion ministry invites ‘practical suggestions’ from stakeholders before issuing Hajj 2025 policy
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Pakistan religion ministry invites ‘practical suggestions’ from stakeholders before issuing Hajj 2025 policy
- Pakistan successfully concluded its post-Hajj 2024 operations on July 21, with nearly 160,000 Pakistanis performing the pilgrimage
- Officials say the government Hajj scheme offered ‘excellent’ accommodation, transport, food and services to pilgrims this year
Pakistan, Oman navies discuss maritime security, ink agreement to share shipping data
- Visiting Oman royal navy commander calls on Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf in Islamabad
- White shipping agreement refers to exchange of prior information on movement of commercial ships
ISLAMABAD: The naval commanders of Pakistan and Oman discussed regional maritime security on Wednesday and signed an agreement to share shipping information with each other, the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
The press release followed a meeting between Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf and the visiting Oman Royal Navy Commander Rear Admiral Saif Bin Nasser Bin Mohsin Al Rahbi at Naval Headquarters in Islamabad.
Both navies maintain close professional relations, reflected in expert-level staff talks, joint training, bilateral exercises, and participation in multilateral exercises between the Pakistan Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional maritime security and bilateral naval cooperation were discussed,” the Pakistan Navy said.
The MoU was signed by both sides at a ceremony at the Naval Headquarters, the navy’s media wing confirmed.
“The MoU is aimed at establishing of guidelines and procedures for information sharing in order to enhance mutual awareness of white shipping,” the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
White shipping agreement refers to the exchange of prior information on the movement and identity of commercial non-military merchant vessels.
Information regarding the identity of vessels helps countries tackle potential threats from sea routes. This particularly helps in the development of a proper regional maritime domain awareness
The statement said Al Rahbi lauded Pakistan Navy’s professionalism and acknowledged its ongoing contributions to maritime security and regional stability.
Pakistan and Oman share geographical proximity and common maritime boundaries. Bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries span a wide range of areas, including economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts and strong defense ties.
In December, a Royal Navy flotilla from Oman visited Karachi to take part in the annual bilateral Thamar Al Tayyib (TAT) 2025 exercise.
Pakistan Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have been conducting the TAT series of exercises regularly since 1980.
