Search form

You are here

  • Home
  • Saudi Arabia launches Nusuk app in Pakistan, increases flight operations to attract more visitors


Saudi Arabia launches Nusuk app in Pakistan, increases flight operations to attract more visitors

Muslim worshippers performing the "Umrah" pilgrimage walk between the Marwa and Safa hills at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca on March 23, 2023. (AFP/File)
Short Url

https://arab.news/z34e3

Updated 23 August 2023
Follow

Saudi Arabia launches Nusuk app in Pakistan, increases flight operations to attract more visitors

  • The kingdom’s Hajj minister says Saudi authorities are trying to attract more pilgrims and tourists by facilitating them better
  • He informs that Saudi authorities have developed over 100 historical, archaeological, and religious sites to promote tourism
Updated 23 August 2023
KHURSHID AHMED   

KARACHI: The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) launched the Nusuk digital platform in Pakistan on Tuesday to increase the number of visitors from the South Asian state, a day after officials belonging to the two countries signed an agreement to enhance the number of bilateral flights.

Nusuk is the kingdom’s first official planning, booking and experience platform to create Hajj or Umrah itineraries to Makkah, Madinah and beyond. It allows travelers from all over the world to easily organize their visit to Saudi Arabia by facilitating e-visa process along with flight and hotel bookings.

The launch of Nusuk is part of Saudi Vision 2030 which aims to promote religious and cultural sites in the kingdom to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on oil.

Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, who arrived in Pakistan on a four-day visit on Sunday, told journalists the kingdom was trying to increase the number of visitors through better facilitation and enhanced flight operations while addressing a ceremony to launch the app.

Al-Rabiah mentioned an agreement signed between the aviation sectors of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Monday to enhance the number of flights between the two countries.

“We are very keen to provide all the facilities that can attract greater number of visitors,” he said. “During my visit to Pakistan, we have worked on increasing the number of flights and signed an understanding, or an agreement rather, between the Saudi Airlines and the Pakistani Airlines to increase the number of flights.”




Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, gestures during a media briefing in Karachi on August 22, 2023. (AN Photo)

The minister said a Saudi budget air carrier, Flyadeal, would soon begin its flight operations between the two countries to increase traveling but to bring down its cost.

“We have approved the airlines called Flyadeal as a carrier company from Pakistan and this [agreement] has been reached yesterday,” he informed. “So, the number of flights will increase and with a lower cost and the opportunities to collaborate are huge.”

Al-Rabiah, reiterated that Kingdom has extended its Umrah visa duration from 30 to 90 days for pilgrims who can avail the opportunity to visit other historical sites.

“The kingdom has attempted to provide abundant facilities,” the minister said. “For example, the Umrah visa, it became from 30 days to 90 days, and the issuing of visas is becoming much easier now and it can be issued in less than 24 hours.”

Discussing the reforms undertaken by the Saudi government, he said the kingdom had also eased the Mahram condition for female visitors, allowing them to perform Hajj and Umrah without a male guardian.

He noted the transit visa holders could also avail a free four-day window to perform Umrah during their brief stay in the Kingdom.

“We have launched the visa, the transit visa, which allows to transit, to travel via the kingdom, and to stay in the kingdom for four days and the Saudi airline provides one night for free,” he added.

The minister said the kingdom had expanded tourism destinations and increased the capacity of hotels in Makkah and Madinah to accommodate increasing number of pilgrims.

“The capacity of housing has been increased, both of the grand mosques [in the two holy cities] have now been expanded, airports have been expanded as well,” Al-Rabiah said, adding: “All of these expansions are to accommodate larger number of people who want to perform Umrah.”

The Saudi minister said the government had developed and opened more than 100 historical, archaeological, and religious sites to promote tourism.

“Makkah and Madinah have a lot of historical sites like the Hira Cave, the Thour Mountain, the Uhud area, Jabal Al-Rumah, and other very important places that everyone loves to see,” he continued.

Earlier, while addressing a gathering, the Saudi minister said that about 1.6 million Pakistanis visit Saudi Arabia every year.

Fahd Hamidaddin, chief executive officer of the Saudi Tourism Authority, also expressed hope that the launch of the Nusuk platform, which is also available in Urdu, would increase the number of visitors from Pakistan to the kingdom to about two million.

Topics: Saudi Hajj Minister Dr. Tawfig Al-Rabiah Pakistani umrah pilgrims Saudi Hajj minister Pakistan Saudi Ties

Related

Pakistan
Pakistani PM thanks Saudi Arabia for ‘interest’ in projects under new investment council
video
Pakistan
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia sign ‘Air Services Agreement’ to increase number of flights

Pakistan dispatches 19th relief consignment to Syria amid conflicts in Middle East

Updated 17 November 2024
Follow

Pakistan dispatches 19th relief consignment to Syria amid conflicts in Middle East

  • Pakistan says it will continue to support people affected by Israel’s military campaign in the region
  • Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, Pakistan has called for a ceasefire at the UN, other forums
Updated 17 November 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) dispatched its 19th relief consignment on Sunday to help war-affected people in Syria and refugees from Lebanon, according to an official statement, reaffirming the country’s commitment to supporting those impacted by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
The aid shipment, sent in collaboration with the Pakistani charity Al-Khidmat Foundation, consisted of 17 tons of humanitarian supplies, including buckets, powdered milk, tinned food, family packs, sleeping bags and medical kits.
The consignment departed via a chartered flight from Jinnah International Airport in Karachi to Damascus in Syria.
“This 19th consignment has been dispatched for the people of Syria and refugees from Lebanon,” the NDMA said in its statement. “Prior to this, the Government of Pakistan has sent 12 aid consignments to Palestine and six shipments to Lebanon, with a total volume of 1,722 tons.”
The statement reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the people of Palestine and Lebanon who are in distress due to Israel’s military campaigns in the region.
It also emphasized the importance of collaboration by welfare organizations and the Pakistani public in strengthening the government’s efforts to assist those in need.
Pakistan has already established a special fund titled the “Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for Gaza and Lebanon,” inviting public donations.
Since the beginning of the war in October last year, Pakistan has called for a ceasefire in Gaza and has raised the issue at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other international forums, urging an end to Israeli military actions and a resolution to the humanitarian crisis.

Topics: Pakistan Syria Ties Pakistan Middle East ties National Disaster Management Authority Gaza aid

Women in Pakistan’s Karachi protest against honor killings, rising extremism

Updated 17 November 2024
Follow

Women in Pakistan’s Karachi protest against honor killings, rising extremism

  • Participants of the rally say Karo-Kari is ‘rampant’ in Sindh, oppose marriages to settle disputes
  • Protesters also raise concern about proposed amendments to Pakistan’s water distribution system
Updated 17 November 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Hundreds of women marched in Karachi on Sunday to protest honor killings, rising extremism and social injustices, while voicing concerns over proposed changes to Pakistan’s water distribution mechanism earlier this year, which southern provinces argue are detrimental to their interests.
The rally, organized by Sindhiyani Tehreek, a women-led movement supported by civil society groups, drew demonstrators from across Sindh who marched from Regal Chowk to the Karachi Press Club.
Dr. Marvi Sindhu, the central general secretary of the movement, highlighted the threat of so-called honor killings, locally referred to as Karo-Kari. These killings target individuals accused of engaging in illicit relationships or marrying against their families’ wishes, often as a means to restore the perceived honor of the family.
“We are raising our voices against the rampant killing of women in the name of honor in Sindh,” she told Arab News. “We are also here to raise our voices against rising religious extremism.”
Sindhu said Karo-Kari was “alarmingly rampant” in northern Sindh, though she noted other socially conservative practices also undermined the interests and wellbeing of women.
“Women are married to settle disputes or murder cases [in the province], only to face harassment [from their in-laws] for the rest of their lives,” she continued, urging Pakistan’s senior judiciary to form a commission to address such issues.
Amar Sindhu, a professor and member of the Women’s Action Forum, echoed similar concerns, saying the rise in extremist ideologies was deepening social injustices and threatening women’s safety in Sindh.
“We stand united against these injustices and demand action to protect women from violence and oppression,” she said.
Sindhiyani Tehreek, founded in 1980, has been a prominent force in the province, advocating for women’s rights, social justice and the preservation of Sindhi culture. The movement also has a long history of resistance against authoritarian rule, gender-based violence and environmental degradation.
Apart from social and gender issues, the protest also highlighted proposed amendments to the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Act, 1992, introduced in July to restructure Pakistan’s water regulatory authority.
Key changes include appointing a permanent federal chairman to the authority, replacing the current rotational system where provincial representatives take turns leading IRSA.
The movement’s general secretary condemned the amendments as “unlawful,” warning they could exacerbate interprovincial disputes and deprive Sindh of its rightful share of water.
“Sindh deserves its share of water to sustain its crops, mangroves and marine life,” she said.

Topics: women in Pakistan honor killing honor killings religious extremism

One killed in northwestern Pakistan blast targeting religio-political party leader

Updated 17 November 2024
Follow

One killed in northwestern Pakistan blast targeting religio-political party leader

  • Attack on Maulana Shehzad Wazir of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam has left him critically injured
  • The JUI leader was on his way to a mosque in Azam Warsak when the explosion took place
Updated 17 November 2024
REHMAT MEHSUD

PESHAWAR: One person was killed and six others injured in a blast triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting a senior leader of a prominent religio-political party in South Waziristan district on Sunday, leaving him in critical condition, police said.
The attack on Maulana Shehzad Wazir comes amid complaints from his Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) party about being targeted by militants operating in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also voiced concerns over militant threats disrupting the party’s election campaign in the region ahead of the February 8 national polls, citing warnings from law enforcement about dangers to its candidates.
“The IED was planted in a street leading to Maulana Shehzad Wazir’s mosque, who is politically affiliated with the JUI-F,” Bilal Wazir, a police officer in Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan tribal district, told Arab News over the phone. “Mufti Ijaz Wazir died on the spot while six others, including Maulana Shehzad Wazir, who was apparently the target of the attack, were left in critical condition.”
The officer said a police contingent was dispatched to the area soon after the explosion to gather evidence and shift the wounded to the hospital.
Asked about the intensity of the blast, he said it shook the entire neighborhood of Azam Warsak, a settlement on the outskirts of Wana.
Speaking to Arab News, Mufti Ijaz Shinwari, the JUI senior vice president in the tribal area, condemned the incident, saying the victims of the attack were religious leaders and key figures of his political party on the provincial level.
“This is inhumane,” he added. “This is clearly a terrorist attack and a cowardly act.”
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, though Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned militant group, has a history of targeting civilians, security forces and politicians in the region, aiming to perpetuate instability in KP.
In recent months, the TTP has claimed responsibility for several attacks and is suspected by officials in others.
Earlier this week, however, Daesh, a separate militant outfit, shot dead Hameed Sufi, a senior leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, in the adjacent Bajaur tribal district.
In June, four people, including Maulana Mirza Jan, the president of JUI’s Wana chapter, were shot by unidentified attackers.
Pakistan claims Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers are providing shelter to TTP fighters across the porous border separating the two countries. However, the Afghan Taliban insists they do not allow anyone to use their soil to launch violent attacks in the neighborhood.
 

Topics: militancy in Pakistan IED blast pakistan bombing South Waziristan

Smog drops from hazardous to unhealthy in Pakistan’s Lahore

Updated 17 November 2024
AFP
Follow

Smog drops from hazardous to unhealthy in Pakistan’s Lahore

  • The city’s AQI index reached a daily average of 243, still considered ‘very unhealthy’
  • Current pollution level is 10 times higher than what is deemed acceptable by WHO
Updated 17 November 2024
AFP

ISLAMABAD: The air quality in Pakistan’s smog-choked city of Lahore on Sunday fell below the threshold considered “hazardous” for humans for the first time in two weeks.
The AQI index reached a daily average of 243, still “very unhealthy” but below the highest level of 300 considered “hazardous.”
The level of PM2.5 particles was also more than 10 times higher than the level deemed acceptable by the World Health Organization.
The city of 14 million people close to the border with India peaked at a record AQI of 1,110 on November 14.
Punjab, home to more than half of Pakistan’s 240 million people, closed schools in its major cities on November 6, and on Friday extended the closure to November 24.
It has also banned all outdoor sports in schools until January, and cracked down on polluting tuk-tuks, barbecues and construction sites in pollution hot spots across Lahore.
Seasonal crop burn-off by farmers on the outskirts of the city also contributes to toxic air the WHO says can cause strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases.

Topics: smog Pakistan Smog Lahore Smog

Pakistan’s finance chief says PM Sharif will soon unveil ‘home-grown’ economic agenda

Updated 17 November 2024
Follow

Pakistan’s finance chief says PM Sharif will soon unveil ‘home-grown’ economic agenda

  • Muhammad Aurangzeb calls the recent IMF visit part of ongoing talks, enhancing mutual trust
  • The visit came weeks after the $7 billion loan approval, making observers think it was unusual
Updated 17 November 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will soon unveil a “home-grown agenda” for economic development, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Sunday, as he informed that his interaction with a visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation last week went well, providing both sides an opportunity to enhance mutual trust.
The IMF delegation, led by Pakistan mission chief Nathan Porter, completed a five-day trip to the country during which it held wide-ranging conversations with the government.
The international lending organization approved a $7 billion loan for Pakistan in September, though it explicitly stated that the delegation’s visit was not part of the first review of the loan program, which is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
The IMF visit, which came just weeks after the loan’s approval, surprised observers who considered it unusual, though the finance minister described it as part of an ongoing dialogue between the two sides, noting that it resulted in a positive IMF statement.
Aurangzeb also said the government would specify its overall economic game plan in the next few days.
“The prime minister will soon share a home-grown agenda about how we are going to take forward our overall economic roadmap,” he said, without disclosing its details. “It has been very well syndicated with all the stakeholders.”
The minister emphasized that dealings between Pakistan and the IMF were completely transparent, with all agreed details available in the public domain. He noted the recent discussions with the IMF covered taxation and energy reforms, along with the privatization plan for state-owned enterprises and public finances.
“I welcomed this visit because this is an ongoing dialogue to ensure mutual credibility and trust,” he added. “We have shared our roadmap with them and explained how we are taking things forward.”
The finance minister said the two sides would continue to hold virtual talks, though he noted that he appreciated every opportunity to meet IMF officials face-to-face.
He also mentioned that discussions with the international lender included climate resilience and decarbonization, emphasizing that these issues had to be addressed alongside broader economic challenges rather than sequentially.
Pakistan has faced a prolonged economic crisis marked by rapid currency devaluation and dwindling foreign exchange reserves, which forced it to seek external financial assistance from friendly nations and global financial institutions.
The country has seen an improvement in its macroeconomic indicators in recent months, though it has yet to fully recover from its financial difficulties.
Reflecting on his visit to Washington for the World Bank and IMF meetings earlier this year, Aurangzeb described the discussions as productive.
“They gave us a platform to share with the comity of nations about how we turned the economy around in 14 months,” he said. “We also got an important message, which is that there is no room for complacency and we must stay the course [of stringent economic reforms].”
 

Topics: IMF in Pakistan Pakistan economy Shehbaz Sharif Muhammad Aurangzeb Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb

Latest updates

‘Gracias, Rafa’: Rafael Nadal will head into retirement after Spain hosts the Davis Cup
Trump’s pick for top defense post paid woman after sex assault allegation but denies wrongdoing, his lawyer says
Harry Kane sparks England rout against Ireland and Nations League promotion
Bangladesh to seek extradition of ousted Sheikh Hasina: govt
Nelly Korda rallies in Florida for her seventh LPGA win of the year

Search form

Print Edition
Read pdf version Subscribe now
© 2024 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.