ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has held its first training session in Islamabad for pilgrims selected for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, it said on Thursday.
Around 500 selected pilgrims from the federal capital and its suburban areas attended the training workshop, who were briefed on administrative matters and Hajj rituals.
Hajj pilgrims are being provided training through audio-visual devices and other materials, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry.
“The first phase of training will continue across the country till February 27,” the ministry said. “The second phase of training will start after Ramadan.”
The development comes days after Pakistan began training of pilgrims, with the first session in the northwestern city of Peshawar.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia this month signed the Hajj agreement 2025, under which 179,210 pilgrims from the South Asian country will perform the annual pilgrimage this year. The quota is divided equally between government and private schemes.
Pakistan’s latest Hajj policy has allowed pilgrims to make payments in installments for the first time. Under this scheme, the first installment of Rs200,000 ($717) had to be submitted with the application, the second installment of Rs400,000 ($1,435) within 10 days of balloting and the remaining amount by Feb. 10 this year.
The Pakistani religious affairs ministry has also launched the Pak Hajj 2025 mobile application, available for both Android and iPhone users, to guide pilgrims.
Additionally, the government has announced a reduction in airfare, lowering ticket prices for federal program pilgrims to Rs220,000 [$785.41], down from last year’s Rs234,000 [$835.39].
The Pakistan International Airlines, Saudi Airlines, and private carriers have agreed to transport pilgrims this year.
Pakistan holds first training session for Hajj 2025 pilgrims
https://arab.news/cpz8w
Pakistan holds first training session for Hajj 2025 pilgrims
- Around 500 selected pilgrims from the Pakistani capital, suburban areas attended the training workshop
- The first phase of pilgrim training sessions will continue across the country till February 27, ministry says
Pakistan’s National Assembly speaker to attend Khaleda Zia’s funeral in Dhaka
- Ayaz Sadiq will convey Pakistan’s condolences to Zia’s family, interim government
- Visit comes amid warming ties between Islamabad and Dhaka after years of strain
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq is due to travel to Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the funeral of Bangladesh’s former prime minister Khaleda Zia, a move that highlights a recent thaw in relations between the two South Asian countries after decades of unease.
Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and a key political figure for decades, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said. Her death prompted messages of condolence from leaders across the region, including Pakistan’s prime minister.
“The Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, will depart for Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday,” Pakistan’s National Assembly said in a post on social media platform X on Tuesday. “The National Assembly Speaker will attend the funeral prayers of Bangladesh’s former prime minister, Begum Khaleda Zia.”
“The Speaker will also convey condolences to Khaleda Zia’s family on behalf of the government, parliament and the people of Pakistan,” it added. “Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq will also meet senior officials of Bangladesh’s interim government.”
Sharif had earlier described Zia as a “committed friend of Pakistan,” praising her role in Bangladesh’s political life and expressing solidarity with the Bangladeshi people during what he called a difficult moment.
Zia, who served three terms as prime minister, led the BNP and remained a central figure in Bangladeshi politics despite years of ill health and imprisonment under the government of her longtime rival, Sheikh Hasina. She was released last year following Hasina’s ouster after a violent uprising.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were part of the same country until Bangladesh’s secession following a bloody civil war in 1971, an event that has long cast a shadow over bilateral ties. Relations remained largely strained for decades, shaped by historical grievances and political mistrust.
However, Islamabad enjoyed comparatively warmer ties with Dhaka during Zia’s tenure than under Hasina.
Engagement between Islamabad and Dhaka has increased since Hasina’s removal and the formation of an interim administration, with both sides signaling interest in improving political, diplomatic, economic and security ties.
