ISLAMABAD: Nearly two million Pakistanis are expected to perform Umrah in Ramadan this year, with the numbers set to rise even further, officials at the Ministry of Religious Affairs told Arab News.

“Around two million Pakistanis are expected to perform Umrah during this Ramadan, and this number keeps increasing every year,” said Imran Siddique, spokesman for ministry.

He added that there has been a sizeable increase in numbers as compared to the 1.5 million Pakistanis who performed Umrah last year.

“The government of Saudi Arabia makes special arrangements each year for the pilgrims which includes exceptional suhoor and iftar meals,” the official said, adding that the ministry is in touch with relevant Saudi authorities “to ensure the best possible facilities for pilgrims this year.”

Meanwhile, Pakistani travel and tour operators, for their part, have introduced special Umrah packages, which include scheduled trips to Makkah and Madina, to make the most of the busy season.

“Our business increases around ten times during Ramadan because majority of people want to perform their Umrah during the holy month,” Abuzar Butt, manager of Bhagwal Travel Operators, told Arab News.

Tour operators begin the process of booking hotel accommodations in the cities of Makkah and Madina and air tickets several months ahead of Ramadan due to high demand. “We have never heard of any complaints from our customers regarding their stay and facilities in Saudi Arabia during the pilgrimage,” he added.

The pilgrims will be joined by Pakistani celebrities as they partake in the rituals for Umrah, with several drama serial and film actors posting messages and videos of their experience in Makkah and Madinah.

Case in point – one of Pakistan’s most talented and beloved actresses, sisters Sarah Khan and Noor Khan who have been actively sharing photos on their social media pages for their fans.

“There is no place like Madinah. This is where I was born and this is where I belong [to]. May every Muslim get to see this place Insha’Allah [God willing],” Sarah Khan wrote on Instagram.

Aiman Khan and Muneeb Butt, a celebrated couple and actors are another celebrity pair to document their journey.

“Alhamdulilah [Thank God] 1st Umrah done!,” Butt captioned one of his photos on Instagram, “don’t have words to express that feeling when we saw haram for the first time … Allah O Akbar.”

The Umrah, unlike Hajj, is not obligatory for Muslims but holds major religious significance and spiritual importance.