ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has finalized arrangements to welcome intending Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, the Pakistani religious affairs ministry said on Tuesday, days before the start of the country’s month-long pre-Hajj flight operation.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime, if they are financially and physically able.

Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year. Of them, 63,805 pilgrims will be performing the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest would be facilitated by private tour operators, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry.

“By the grace of Allah Almighty, we are optimistic to a great extent that our pre-Hajj arrangements will ensure a smooth Hajj operation,” said Ahmed Nadeem Khan, joint secretary and director of facilitation and coordination (F&C), at a media briefing.

He said they were making all-out efforts to make the annual Hajj operation hassle-free both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The ministry has introduced several new initiatives, including discounted long and short packages, complimentary uniform baggage with QR coding, and essential items like head scarf for women and ihraam belts for men, according to the official.

Additionally, a complimentary Hajj SIM card with data and minutes will ensure connectivity throughout the journey, and the mandatory Hujjaj app will help educate, track and assist pilgrims in performing Hajj rituals for a seamless pilgrimage.

Khan urged the Hajj support staff, including assistants, doctors and paramedics, to deliver their best in extending maximum facilities to the pilgrims, saying their performance would be minutely evaluated and no negligence would be tolerated.

He said the religious affairs ministry was gradually taking its Hajj operation to end-to-end automation and the launch of the Hujjaj app was part of it.

“We have completed 70-80 percent automation, and the rest will be done in due course,” the official said, adding that up to 90 percent of intending pilgrims have been communicated through the app information about their flights, accommodation, vaccination and visa approval.

Khan said over 8,000 Pakistanis had so far contacted the ministry through the app to discuss their issues regarding the spiritual journey, which have been cleared within no time and a few were at various stages of resolution.

Pakistan’s month-long pre-Hajj flight operation is slated to begin on May 9 to ferry pilgrims to the revered destinations.

This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14 till June 19.