ISLAMABAD: A 45-member Saudi delegation arrived in Islamabad on Sunday to review arrangements for the Makkah Route Initiative, the religion ministry said, as Pakistan gears up for Hajj 2025.
The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to streamline immigration processes by enabling pilgrims to complete official travel formalities at their departure airports. Initially tested in Islamabad in 2019, the program was later expanded to Karachi, benefitting tens of thousands of Pakistani travelers.
The annual pilgrimage is expected to take place in June, with nearly 90,000 Pakistanis expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme while 23,620 Pakistanis will perform Hajj through private tour operators this year.
“A 45-member delegation has arrived in Pakistan to review arrangements for the Road to Makkah project,” the religious affairs ministry said in a statement.
Saudi immigration officials, designated for Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, were warmly welcomed by the airport management team upon arrival in the southern port city, the Pakistan Airports Authority said.
“Under the Road to Makkah initiative, the Saudi immigration team will carry out Saudi immigration clearance for Hajj pilgrims at eight dedicated counters at Jinnah International Airport, starting 29 April, coinciding with the departure of first Hajj flight from Karachi,” it said in a statement.
“This initiative will streamline the pilgrims’ entry process into Saudi Arabia by completing immigration formalities before departure from Pakistan.”
Under the Road to Makkah project, immigration for Pakistani pilgrims will be completed in Pakistan instead of Saudi Arabia.
Around 50,500 Pakistani pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia under the Makkah Route Initiative, according to the Pakistani religion ministry. Of these, 28,000 pilgrims will depart for the Kingdom from Islamabad while the remaining 22,500 will leave from the southern port city of Karachi.
“A total of 100 flights from Islamabad and 80 flights from Karachi will operate under the Road to Makkah project,” the statement said.
Pakistan will launch Hajj flight operations on Apr. 29, with the first flight departing from the eastern city of Lahore.
While a precise number of pilgrims for Hajj 2025 is difficult to determine in advance, projections suggest it will be a record-breaking year, with over 2.5 million pilgrims expected.
Saudi delegation arrives in Pakistan to review Makkah Route Initiative arrangements
https://arab.news/ynf6b
Saudi delegation arrives in Pakistan to review Makkah Route Initiative arrangements
- Makkah Route Initiative allows pilgrims to complete immigration processes at departure airports
- A total of 100 flights from Islamabad, 80 flights from Karachi will operate under the initiative
US envoy, military officials attend Pakistan-US counterterrorism exercise
- Exercise Inspired Gambit-2026 marks 13th round of Pakistan-US counterterrorism training
- US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker observed the drills with senior American military officials
ISLAMABAD: The top US diplomat in Pakistan, accompanied by senior American military officials, on Thursday observed joint counterterrorism drills conducted by Pakistani and US troops aimed at improving how the two forces operate together, Pakistan’s military said.
The drills are part of Exercise Inspired Gambit–2026 that is being held from Jan. 8 to Jan. 16 at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Pabbi, situated in the Punjab province, marking the 13th iteration of the bilateral training series since it began in 1995.
“Distinguished Visitors’ Day ceremony was held on 15 January 2026 at the National Counter Terrorism Center, Pabbi,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement. “Her Excellency Ms. Natalie Baker, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States of America to Pakistan, accompanied by senior US military dignitaries, and Commander Rawalpindi Corps graced the occasion.”
“The visitors were briefed on the scope, objectives, and conduct of the exercise,” it added. “A high level of professionalism and competence was demonstrated by participants of both armies, which was appreciated by the visiting dignitaries.”
Pakistan and the United States have maintained close defense and security ties for decades, working together during the Cold War era, especially after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
The relationship continued following the US-led intervention in Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, though cooperation became strained at times due to policy differences.
ISPR said the exercise was meant to enhance bilateral military cooperation through the exchange of counterterrorism experience, refinement of drills and procedures and the development of interoperability.
