Pakistani Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Muhammad Naeem Khan reiterated that his nation’s ties with Saudi Arabia were growing stronger by the day and that consistent efforts in nurturing the relationship were yielding positive results.
Addressing select members of the Pakistani community in the Eastern Province yesterday, Khan said: “We are constantly engaged in talks with the king, the crown prince, members of the royal family, ministers and businessmen, and all these indicate that our ties with Saudi Arabia remain strong and special.”
Khan praised the Saudi leadership for excellent arrangements during the recent Haj. “We want to thank Saudi Arabia and its able leadership for providing the best possible facilities to pilgrims coming from all over the world and especially to the 180,000 who came from Pakistan this year,” he said.
He referred to the special invitation extended to Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf. “He was among the select heads of state who were invited as personal guests of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah … it was a big honor for Pakistan,” said Khan.
The ambassador said during the reception hosted by the king in Mina, the prime minister had the opportunity to meet important members of the Saudi leadership. “In his interactions with the Saudi hosts, the prime minister underlined the special relationship that Pakistan enjoys with Saudi Arabia,” said Khan.
The ambassador referred to the recent visit to Pakistan of a power-packed business delegation headed by Commerce and Industry Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah. “We were very happy to arrange this particular visit of the delegation to Pakistan,” he said. “The Saudi delegates were very impressed by the investment, growth and joint venture opportunities in Pakistan. We will soon have a follow-up meeting with the delegates.”
The ambassador inaugurated a clinic which is run by a group of committed and well-known Pakistani expatriate doctors. “I appreciate all the doctors who are involved in this project and would like to especially thank Tamimi Group and its Vice President Sardar Mohammed Ilyas Khan for providing the basic infrastructure to run it,” he said.
The ambassador said the clinic would not have been possible without the support and permission from Eastern Province Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Fahd. “He was very gracious in promptly accepting our request to run this clinic for members of the Pakistani community. We will remain very thankful and grateful to the governor for his concern and constant support to the community,” said Khan.
The clinic is open to Pakistanis who do not have the luxury of health insurance. “The well-equipped clinic will run every time the consular team from Riyadh visits Alkhobar,” said Khan. “Right now only consultation services are being offered, but in time and with help from the community we will dispense medicines as well,” he said.
The ambassador said Pakistani expatriates have always played an important role in raising the profile of the country in Saudi Arabia. “When it comes to charitable activities and welfare services, our people are always in the forefront,” he said, and pointed out that during the recent flood disaster, the community rose to the occasion and contributed handsomely to relief efforts.
He appealed to the Pakistani businessmen and professionals to continue doing the good job.
Saudi-Pakistani ties growing stronger
Saudi-Pakistani ties growing stronger
Hajj pilgrims from around the world begin to arrive in Saudi Arabia
- With just over a month to go until the start of the pilgrimage, the first Hajj flights arrived from India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan and South Africa
- A total of 7,700 flights are expected to arrive at six airports in the Kingdom during this year’s Hajj season
RIYADH: The first groups of pilgrims from several countries arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday ahead of this year’s Hajj.
Among them were 283 pilgrims from India, who were welcomed upon arrival at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah by the minister of transport and logistics services, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, and the deputy minister of Hajj and Umrah, Abdel Fattah bin Sulaiman Mashat.
Al-Jasser said 7,700 flights carrying Hajj pilgrims will arrive at six airports this year, which is the year 1445 in the Islamic Hijri calendar, and Saudi authorities are committed to providing the best services to them during their stays in the Kingdom. More than 27,000 buses will be in service, he added, and the high-speed Al-Haramain and Al-Mashaer trains will complete more than 5,000 journeys.
The Indian ambassador to the Kingdom, Suhel Ajaz Khan, who joined the Saudi ministers in greeting the first of this year’s pilgrims, told Arab News: “The Indian mission in Saudi Arabia stands fully ready to welcome Indian pilgrims and ensure a fulfilling experience for the Hajj 2024.
“This year, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah, in close coordination with concerned ministries of the government of India and the support of the concerned agencies in Saudi Arabia, has exerted the utmost efforts to put in place a well-planned, thorough operational architecture for facilitating a smooth Hajj experience for the pilgrims.
“We have a new smart app, Haj Suvidha app, which we have developed for pilgrims’ facilitation and grievance redressal mechanism, aiming to ensure a seamless pilgrimage journey with our app, dedicated to simplifying the Hajj application process for Indian citizens.
“This seamless operational Hajj 2024 architecture, created by the (Indian consulate) has now been set in motion with the arrival of the first two flights carrying Indian Hajj pilgrims from Hyderabad and New Delhi. Eleven more flights are expected to arrive during the course of the day, which will see around 4,000 Indian Hajj pilgrims arriving on the first day in Madinah.”
The first Hajj flight from Bangladesh, carrying 415 pilgrims, landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Thursday morning. The country’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Mohammad Javed Patwary, joined other officials from the Bangladeshi mission in welcoming them at the airport.
“We are really happy to serve the pilgrims from Bangladesh,” the envoy told Arab News. “We have seen smooth service for the last three years under the Makkah Route Initiative; it is going better and better every year.
“Officials from all the concerned Saudi ministries, including the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Health, are here to welcome the pilgrims and help to make this lifetime journey a smooth experience.”
The Makkah Route Initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s Guests of God Service Program, inaugurated by King Salman in 2019. It seeks to provide visitors to the holy sites with the best possible services to help them perform their Hajj rituals easily and comfortably.
The first of this year’s Hajj flights from Malaysia arrived on Thursday, in Madinah. The country’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah, told Arab News: “The Makkah Route service pre-clearance arrangement has greatly benefited Malaysian Hajj pilgrims.
“This year, 31,600 Hajj pilgrims will benefit from the initiative and Malaysia is ready to expand the Makkah Route service for Umrah pilgrims, who (number) approximately 400,000 visitors annually.”
The first Hajj pilgrims from Pakistan also arrived in Madinah, where they were welcomed by the Pakistani ambassador to the Kingdom, Ahmad Farooq, Consul General Khalid Majid and senior Saudi officials.
The pilgrims arrived on flights from Karachi, Multan, Lahore and Islamabad. More than 2,100 were expected to arrive in Madinah on the first day, and the total number of Pakistani pilgrims expected to perform Hajj this year is 179,210. About half of them will do so under government schemes, the rest through private Hajj tour companies.
Pakistani officials said they have prepared the necessary accommodation for the pilgrims and will provide them with all required services and facilities, including a medical mission comprising 500 medical staff, including doctors and specialists.
Also on Thursday, the first batch of pilgrims from South Africa arrived in Jeddah.
Hajj is expected to begin on or around June 14 and conclude on June 19.
Eight Arabian oryx calves born at royal reserve
- Arrival of oryxes marks significant step in Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve’s breeding program
RIYADH: Eight Arabian oryx calves have been welcomed at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, it was announced on Thursday.
The arrival of the oryxes marks a significant step in the reserve’s breeding program, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The species was classified as “extinct” in the wild in the 1970s by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In 1986 it was classed as “endangered” and in 2011 it became the first animal to revert to “vulnerable” status on the IUCN’s Red List.
Estimates from 2016 suggested there were 1,220 oryxes living in the wild globally and as many as 7,000 in captivity.
The oryx births at the ITARR follows the hatching of red-necked ostrich chicks and a rise in the number of Arabian sand gazelles at the reserve. Construction of a dedicated breeding center for the endangered Asian houbara is also underway.
Saudi FM discusses developments in Rafah with Palestinian PM
- During a meeting in Riyadh, the two officials also discussed strengthening cooperation relations between their countries
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed developments in the Gazan city of Rafah with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa on Thursday.
During a meeting in Riyadh, the two officials also discussed strengthening cooperation relations between their countries, and the Palestinian government’s priorities and work program.
Israeli forces massed tanks and opened fire close to built-up areas of Rafah on Thursday, residents said, after US President Joe Biden vowed to withhold weapons from Israel if its forces launch a major invasion of the southern Gaza city.
Israel has defied international objections by sending in tanks and conducting “targeted raids” in the border city, which is crowded with displaced Palestinian civilians.
Saudia unveils 2024 Hajj season plan
- Kingdom’s national carrier boasts more than 150 aircraft in its fleet, and has pledged to deliver “top-notch services” to pilgrims during Hajj
- More than 11,000 frontline employees and aircraft maintenance technicians will work throughout the season
RIYADH: Saudia has unveiled its operational plan for this year’s Hajj season, allocating more than 1.2 million airline seats for pilgrims visiting the Kingdom.
The Kingdom’s national carrier boasts more than 150 aircraft in its fleet, and has pledged to deliver “top-notch services” to pilgrims during Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The airline’s operational period for the Hajj season spans 74 days, beginning May 9. It includes both arrivals and returns.
Saudia has organized specialized teams to oversee performance monitoring, lounge operations, coordination with other sectors as well as an emergency plan in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Virtual simulations have been conducted at Jeddah and Madinah international airports to prepare for Hajj.
Saudia is welcoming pilgrims from the Grand Mosque through five domestic airports: Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Dammam and Yanbu, the SPA reported.
More than 11,000 frontline employees and aircraft maintenance technicians will work throughout the season. The Makkah Route initiative will cater to 120,000 pilgrims, while the “Hajj with No Bags” service will also run.
The airline plans to handle 270,000 bags and 240,000 Zamzam water bottles during Hajj.
Amer Alkhushail, CEO of Saudia Hajj and Umrah, said that the national carrier is “honored” to play a vital role in serving pilgrims, aligning with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Saudia has gained “invaluable experience” from previous Hajj seasons, contributing to the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, he added.
“As part of our preparations for the upcoming Hajj season, the Saudia Group is committed to forging agreements with government delegations and travel agents. We are dedicated to ensuring adequate seat capacity and extending our services to meet demand in over 100 destinations across four continents,” Alkhushail said.
“Moreover, we are facilitating reservation and ticket issuance through electronic channels and Saudia Group offices. Additionally, we are conducting awareness campaigns to educate pilgrims about luggage requirements, including dimensions, weights and prohibited materials for air transport.
“Furthermore, we are poised to support the implementation of flights through the Makkah Route Initiative.”
Through its workforce, Saudia can provide communication to pilgrims from around the world in 30 languages, he added.
Onboard meals are tailored to accommodate diverse preferences, Alkhushail said, highlighting Saudia’s in-flight entertainment, which offers pilgrims educational and guidance materials developed in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Saudia also offers luggage collection services from pilgrims’ residences, easing travel after the completion of Hajj rituals, he added.
Saudi Fund for Development launches cancer hospital project in Mauritius
- Project, built on a development loan of $25 million, was inaugurated by the fund’s CEO Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad
- Saudi Fund for Development has supported Mauritius since 1982 through projects and programs in vital industries
RIYADH: A hospital specializing in cancer care will be built in Mauritius as part of an ambitious healthcare plan by the Saudi Fund for Development.
The project, built on a development loan of $25 million, was inaugurated on Thursday by the fund’s CEO, Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ceremony was attended by the prime minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth; the country’s minister of health, Dr. Kailesh Kumar Singh; Saudi Ambassador to Mauritius Fayez bin Meshal Al-Tamyaat; and Mauritius’ ambassador to the Kingdom, Showkutally Soodhun.
The hospital is planned to cover 21,000 sq meters and will contain 220 medical beds.
According to the SPA, the fund aims to enhance the efficiency of the healthcare system in Mauritius, providing the highest standards of care and prevention of chronic diseases.
The hospital will also focus on the rehabilitation and development of healthcare services, as well as the care of cancer patients, with a goal of improving access to treatment.
It is part of the fund’s efforts to enhance the pillars of development in developing countries around the world.
The Saudi Fund for Development has supported Mauritius since 1982 through projects and programs in vital industries.
Through seven projects and programs in the country, the fund has delivered about $228 million in development loans, enhancing social and economic growth, and providing job opportunities.
