ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religion minister on Monday urged pilgrims to promote the country’s soft image during Hajj 2024, state-run media reported, as thousands from the South Asian country arrive in Saudi Arabia’s holy cities.
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, provided they are financially and physically able to do so.
Pakistani pilgrims have been arriving in Madinah since May 9 when the country launched its pre-Hajj flight operations. At least 22,696 Pakistani pilgrims have since arrived in Madinah through 93 flights, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) said on Sunday.
Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain arrived in Makkah last week to review arrangements by the government for Pakistani pilgrims ahead of the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
“Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain has appealed to the intending Hajj pilgrims to earn a good name for the country during their stay in the holy land of Saudi Arabia,” the state-run Radio Pakistan said.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Makkah, Hussain said he was satisfied with arrangements undertaken by the Pakistan Hajj Mission in Makkah. He also visited a hospital for pilgrims in the holy city set up by Pakistan.
“He said that he is very happy over the operational preparedness after visiting various facilities, including the Pakistan Hajj Medical Mission, residential buildings, catering companies’ kitchens providing three meals a day and transport arrangements,” Radio Pakistan said.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, of which 63,805 people will perform the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest will use private tour operators. This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14-19.
Pilgrims from Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi are availing the Makkah Route Initiative facility for the first time. Launched in 2019, the initiative allows for the completion of immigration procedures at the pilgrims’ country of departure. This makes it possible to bypass long immigration and customs checks upon reaching Saudi Arabia, which significantly reduces the waiting time and makes the entry process smoother and faster.
Pakistan expects over 60 percent of pilgrims performing Hajj this year to benefit from the initiative.