KSrelief, Pakistan Red Crescent Society discuss enhancing cooperation in humanitarian efforts

The supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari in a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on August 8, 2024. (Photo courtesy: SPA)
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Updated 11 August 2024
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KSrelief, Pakistan Red Crescent Society discuss enhancing cooperation in humanitarian efforts

  • Pakistan Red Crescent Society arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier this week to bolster cooperation, share expertise in humanitarian efforts
  • Pakistan is fifth biggest beneficiary of KSrelief’s aid money and humanitarian operations after Yemen, Palestine, Syria and Somalia

ISLAMABAD: The supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari this week discussed enhancing cooperation in humanitarian efforts between the two organizations, a press release from the KSrelief said. 

A PRCS delegation arrived earlier this week in the Kingdom to bolster cooperation and help share expertise in humanitarian aid and relief efforts, Pakistan’s state-run Associated Press of Pakistan said. 

With one of the largest humanitarian aid budgets in the world, KSrelief has been working in 44 countries. Pakistan is the fifth biggest beneficiary of the organization’s aid money and humanitarian operations after Yemen, Palestine, Syria and Somalia. 

Dr. Al-Rabeeah welcomed Laghari and the PRCS delegation at the KSrelief headquarters in Saudi Arabia in a meeting which was also attended by Dr. Jalal bin Mohammed Al-Owaisi, president of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA), KSrelief said in a statement. 

“The discussions centered on the latest developments in humanitarian efforts in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and explored avenues for further collaboration between KSrelief and PRCS,” KSrelief said. 

It added that both organizations stressed the importance of continued cooperation to address the ongoing needs and humanitarian challenges in Pakistan. 

“Chairman Laghari conveyed his heartfelt thanks to the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and HRH the Crown Prince, for their unwavering support and assistance to Pakistan,” the statement said.

“He praised Saudi Arabia’s steadfast commitment to aiding the Pakistani people during times of crisis.”


Pakistan to begin first phase of Hajj 2026 trainings from today

Updated 31 December 2025
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Pakistan to begin first phase of Hajj 2026 trainings from today

  • Training programs to be held in phases across Pakistan till February, says religion ministry
  • Saudi Arabia allocated Pakistan a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has said that it will begin the first phase of mandatory Hajj 2026 training for pilgrims intending to perform the pilgrimage from today, Thursday.

The one-day Hajj training programs will be held in phases across the country at the tehsil level until February. The ministry directed intending pilgrims to bring their original identity cards and the computerized receipt of their Hajj application to attend the training sessions.

“Pilgrims should attend the one-day training program according to their scheduled date,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) said in a statement.

The ministry said training schedules are being shared through the government’s Pak Hajj 2026 mobile application as well as via SMS. It added that details of the schedule are also available on its website.

According to the ministry, training programs will be held in Abbottabad on Jan. 2; Ghotki, Thatta and Kotli on Jan. 3; and Tando Muhammad Khan and Khairpur on Jan. 4.

Hajj training sessions will be held in Rawalakot, Badin and Naushahro Feroze on Jan. 5, while pilgrims in Fateh Jang, Dadu and Tharparkar will receive the training on Jan. 6.

The ministry said training programs will be conducted in Umerkot and Larkana on Jan. 7, followed by sessions in Mirpurkhas, Shahdadkot and Mansehra on Jan. 8.

Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has previously said these trainings will be conducted by experienced trainers and scholars using multimedia.

It said the training has been made mandatory to ensure that intending pilgrims are fully aware of Hajj rituals and administrative procedures.

Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026, of which around 118,000 seats have been reserved under the government scheme, while the remainder will be allocated to private tour operators.

Under Pakistan’s Hajj scheme, the estimated cost of the government package ranges from Rs1,150,000 to Rs1,250,000 ($4,049.93 to $4,236), subject to final agreements with service providers.