ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain has arrived in Saudi Arabia on a three-day visit to attend the Global Hajj and Umrah Conference and Expo, and sign the Hajj Agreement 2025, the Pakistani religious affairs ministry said on Sunday.

The fourth edition of the Global Hajj and Umrah Conference and Expo, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, is being held in Jeddah on Jan. 13-16.

Hussain will deliver a speech at the conference, which will have participation of ministers, distinguished personalities, and diplomats from 90 countries.

“The conference aims to enhance services for pilgrims and promote transparency and competitiveness in related industries,” the Pakistani religious affairs ministry said in a statement.

“It will feature 47 panel discussions, 50 workshops, and exhibitions showcasing the latest Hajj technologies and services with 280 displays.”

On Sunday, Hussain also met with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umra Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabi’ah and the two figures reviewed arrangements for Hajj 2025. He praised the efforts of the Saudi leadership in providing excellent facilities to pilgrims.

“There is further potential to strengthen economic and investment cooperation between the two countries,” Hussain was quoted as saying by his ministry.

“This year, measures have been taken to provide better facilities for Pakistani pilgrims compared to previous years, and instructions have been given to the Hajj Affairs Office in Jeddah to ensure the best services for the pilgrims.”

The Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister remarked that a large number of pilgrims come from Pakistan each year, and assured that every possible cooperation would be provided to Pakistani pilgrims, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry.

Saudi Arabia has allocated a quota of 179,210 Hajj pilgrims for Pakistan in 2025, divided equally between government and private schemes.

For the first time, Pakistan’s Hajj policy allowed pilgrims last year to make payments in installments. Under this scheme, the first installment of Rs 200,000 ($717) had to be submitted with the application, the second installment of Rs 400,000 ($1,435) within 10 days of balloting and the remaining amount by February 10 this year.

The Pakistani religious affairs ministry has also launched the Pak Hajj 2025 mobile application, available for both Android and iPhone users, to guide pilgrims. Additionally, the government announced a reduction in airfare, lowering ticket prices for federal program pilgrims to Rs 220,000, down from last year’s Rs 234,000.

Pakistan International Airlines, Saudi Airlines, and private carriers have agreed to transport pilgrims this year.

ISLAMABAD: The renovation of Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan’s eastern Lahore city will be completed this week, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday, with all major structural work finished and final touches being applied ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
The PCB has been renovating stadiums in Lahore and Karachi for the 2025 Champions Trophy scheduled to take place in Feb. across three venues: Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. This will be the first ICC tournament held in Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup.
Pakistani fans have long expressed dissatisfaction with the country’s stadiums, particularly the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, citing a lack of basic facilities and a subpar viewing experience for spectators.
On Sunday, the PCB chairman paid a visit to Gaddafi Stadium and inspected the upgradation, renovation and finishing work on the ground, expressing his satisfaction over the pace of work at the iconic venue.
“Gaddafi Stadium, with all its modern facilities, will be ready this month. The work is being carried out at a swift pace,” he said.
“We are set to install brand new and comfortable seats for the fans, with an enhanced view, and work on new LED lights on the light towers is well underway.”
The stadium is set to transform into a world-class facility, featuring over 34,000 seats, brand-new scoreboards on both sides and state-of-the-art floodlights, ensuring exceptional visibility for both players and spectators after sunset.
“The fans will now be able to enjoy laser light shows during night games as well,” Naqvi said. “We are striving to make the ICC Champions Trophy a memorable event in Pakistan.”
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will take place from February 19 till March 9, with matches hosted across Pakistan and Dubai in a hybrid model.
The tournament’s structure follows a compromised decision after India refused to play in Pakistan, citing “security concerns.” Exercising its rights as the host nation, Pakistan designated Dubai as the neutral venue for India’s matches, ensuring all teams’ participation.
In Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi will host three group-stage games each. Lahore is also set to host the second semifinal. Dubai will host all three of India’s group matches and the first semifinal, should India qualify.
The tournament opener on Feb. 19 will feature Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi, while India will face Bangladesh in Dubai on Feb. 20.
This will be the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, after an eight-year hiatus. The last tournament took place in England in 2017. The event will feature top eight teams in world cricket competing for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.