ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Pir Noorul Haq Qadri said on Wednesday there was a strong bond of religious brotherhood and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and his country while meeting with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki.

Qadri congratulated the Saudi leadership for organizing a “safe” Hajj amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Saudi authorities had taken strict precautionary measure during this year’s Hajj season, allowing only about 1,000 people already residing in the Kingdom, to perform the pilgrimage in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus.

Last year, about 2.5 million worshippers from around the world had participated in the religious ritual.

According to an official statement released by the ministry, Ambassador Malki said that Umrah would “start soon after finalizing the code of conduct and precautionary measures for Umrah pilgrims.”

Qadri said the Saudi-Pak relations would strengthen further in the days to come.

In recent weeks, the Saudi envoy has met with several Pakistani lawmakers, including politicians from opposition parties and government officials. The meetings were part of his routine contacts with the Pakistani dignitaries.