ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) has concluded its first phase of a 10-day modern training program for “Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj” or Hajj facilitators in Islamabad, state media reported recently, vowing to provide professional assistance to pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during the annual Islamic pilgrimage. 

Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj are trained government employees who facilitate Pakistani pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Speaking to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Zulfiqar Khan, Pakistan’s coordinator for Makkah and Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj, said Hajj facilitators have been equipped with digital maps, life-saving skills from the Rescue 1122 emergency services and crowd management modules provided by the Islamabad Police. 

He said the training program marks a shift from traditional briefings to technical training in line with the best practices adopted in Indonesia, Turkiye and Malaysia.

“In a major move to ensure the smoothest Hajj experience in history for Pakistani pilgrims, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has successfully concluded the first phase of a 10-day modern training program for Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj,” APP reported on Sunday. 

Khan told APP that the Rescue 1122 emergency service conducted “mock exercises” for CPR and emergency medical aid during the first phase of the training. He said the program is divided into two phases: a joint session and the upcoming “Functional Level” specialized training.

“This second phase will prepare food, transport, and building teams for their specific ‘job desks’ to handle any crisis effectively,” the state media reported. 

Khan said the government has included a “significant” number of female assistants for this year’s Hajj to ensure comprehensive support for all pilgrims. He highlighted that assistants have been equipped with a ‘digital view’ of Mina’s roads, bridges and Jamarat routes, making them fully aware of camp locations and zones well in advance.

He said 870 Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj, selected through a competitive process, will serve as the backbone of the transport, food and accommodation sectors.

“This modern training signifies that Hajj 2026 will serve as an administrative role model, ensuring both spiritual peace and logistical excellence for our pilgrims,” he was quoted as saying. 

This year 179,210 pilgrims from Pakistan will perform Hajj, according to MoRA. Of these, 119,210 pilgrims will travel under the government scheme, while 60,000 will go through private tour operators, with applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis.