ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has awarded Pakistan’s Hajj Mission an international excellence award for the second consecutive year, recognizing its performance in managing pilgrimage operations and services, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs said on Saturday.
The award was presented to Abdul Wahab Soomro, director general of the Pakistan Hajj Mission, during a ceremony hosted by Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah and attended by heads of Hajj missions and senior officials from various countries.
The recognition comes after Pakistan completed arrangements for nearly 179,000 pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season, including about 119,000 under the government scheme and around 60,000 through private operators. Hajj management remains one of the largest annual overseas logistical operations undertaken by the Pakistani government.
“In recognition of the outstanding performance of the Pakistan Hajj Mission at the international level, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah awarded the ‘Labaytum Excellence Award’ to Director General Pakistan Hajj Mission Abdul Wahab Soomro,” Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry said in a statement.
“The award was conferred in recognition of achievements in Hajj management, facilities provided to pilgrims and overall administrative performance.”
The ministry said the Pakistan Hajj Mission, under Soomro’s leadership, had received the international distinction for the second consecutive year.
Speaking at the ceremony, Al-Rabiah described arrangements for the 1447H Hajj season as successful and praised the efforts of various countries’ Hajj missions in improving services for pilgrims through the use of technology and effective management practices.
The Saudi minister also announced the policy framework and key timelines for the 1448H Hajj season, saying preparations had formally begun from 12 Dhul Hijjah 1447H to allow governments and relevant institutions sufficient time to complete planning and further improve services for pilgrims.
According to Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry, delegates from several countries commended the Pakistan Hajj Mission’s performance and described it as a successful model for other missions.
Pakistan has in recent years introduced a range of measures aimed at improving accommodation, transportation, food services, complaint resolution mechanisms and guidance services for pilgrims during the annual pilgrimage.
