KARACHI: The Hajj Organizers Association of Pakistan (HOAP) this week described Saudi Arabia’s digital Hajj system as “highly stable” and “foolproof,” crediting the Kingdom for operating it transparently for a long time.
Local news outlets this month published reports stating Pakistani pilgrims could face delays in their Hajj journey as millions of Saudi Riyals meant for their expenses were mistakenly sent to an account linked to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). An official at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Tuesday rejected the reports, reiterating the Kingdom’s electronic Hajj system operated with the “highest standards of transparency.”
HOAP clarified that local media reports had misreported the briefing its representatives had given to the Senate and National Assembly Standing Committee on Religious Affairs on Apr. 23. HOAP said its representatives had referred to the Office of the Pilgrims Affairs Pakistan (OPAP) account, not OPEC. It further said Hajj organizers have been transferring their funds to OPAP’s account since last year.
“The Hajj Organizers Association of Pakistan would like to clarify that the digital system of Saudi Arabia is highly stable and foolproof, leaving no room for any kind of ambiguity,” the association said on Wednesday. “The Hajj system of Saudi Arabia has been operating transparently and securely for a long time, and we continue to benefit from it.”
The association clarified it has never been a part of any “political campaign,” alleging that local media’s misreporting is the “outcome of a conspiracy, which is equivalent to harming the long-standing relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.”
“We have religious harmony and heartfelt affiliation with Saudi Arabia. We and our Government of Pakistan have longstanding relations with Saudi Arabia, of which we are proud,” it added.
This year’s annual pilgrimage will take place in June, with nearly 89,000 Pakistanis expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme and 23,620 Pakistanis through private tour operators. The total quota granted to Pakistan was 179,210, which could not be met.
Pakistan kicked off its Hajj flight operations on Tuesday morning with the first batch of 442 pilgrims departing from Islamabad for Madinah.
Saudi Arabia’s digital Hajj system ‘highly stable, foolproof’ — Pakistan Hajj organizers’ association
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Saudi Arabia’s digital Hajj system ‘highly stable, foolproof’ — Pakistan Hajj organizers’ association
- Association says Hajj organizers have been transferring funds to Office of Pilgrims Affairs Pakistan account since 2024
- Saudi Arabia’s digital Hajj system has been operating transparently and securely for a long time, says association
Pakistan Cricket Board approves stadium upgrades, targets PSL matches in new regions
- PCB is working to stage T20 league matches and future international games at Muzaffarabad Stadium
- It reviews the success of PSL roadshows in London and New York to boost the league’s global profile
KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approved major upgrades to stadiums in Karachi and Lahore and cleared plans for a new state-of-the-art venue in Islamabad, as it looks to expand the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and spread top-level cricket to new regions, officials said on Tuesday.
The decisions were taken at a video-link meeting of the PCB Board of Governors chaired by Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, which formally approved the second phase of renovation of Karachi’s National Stadium and the upgrading of the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground along the lines of England’s Oval.
Pakistan has stepped up investment in cricket infrastructure in recent years as it seeks to strengthen its domestic system, attract international events and grow the PSL, its premier T20 league, into a more geographically inclusive and internationally visible league.
“We are making every effort to stage PSL 11 matches at Muzaffarabad Stadium and to host international matches there as well,” Naqvi said, according to a PCB statement.
The board also endorsed plans to construct a modern cricket stadium in Islamabad, while officials briefed the meeting on preparations for future International Cricket Council (ICC) men’s and women’s tournaments and efforts to strengthen domestic cricket at the grassroots level.
The meeting also reviewed the success of recent PSL promotional roadshows in London and New York, which the PCB sees as part of a broader push to position the league as an international brand and attract overseas audiences and investment.
