ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Mohammad Yousaf on Sunday directed officials to spare no effort in facilitating Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, stressing the need for smooth travel, accommodation and support services.
Pakistan is expected to send more than 179,000 pilgrims for Hajj this year. Of these, 119,000 will be performing the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the remaining are being facilitated by private tour operators.
Yousaf arrived in the Kingdom on Saturday to review arrangements made for Pakistani Hajj pilgrims on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry.
The minister visited the Pakistan Hajj Mission office in Al-Aziziyah neighborhood in Makkah on Sunday, where Pakistan’s Director-General for Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro and other senior officials briefed him on the arrangements.
“The arrangements made by the Saudi government are exemplary and commendable,” he said, instructing officials: “No stone should be left unturned in hosting Hajj pilgrims.”
Soomro said the mission is hosting around 119,000 pilgrims under the government scheme this year.
“We are in constant contact with the Tawafa companies and Saudi authorities for the arrangements for Hajj days,” he said.
Yousaf stressed that there should be no shortcomings in the grievance redressal system.
The Hajj pilgrimage is expected to fall at the end of this month.
Pakistan kicked off its pre-Hajj flight operation on Apr. 18 which will continue till May 21. Most Pakistani pilgrims this year are traveling under Saudi Arabia’s Route to Makkah Initiative, which allows travelers to complete immigration and customs procedures before departure from Pakistan.
