ISLAMABAD: A Saudi immigrations delegation on Wednesday visited the Islamabad airport and inspected arrangements for Pakistanis traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, a spokesman for the Pakistani religious affairs ministry said.
The Saudi team lead by director immigrations Major General Sulaiman Al-Yahya was in Pakistan on a three-day visit to survey national airports and arrangements for Hajj, the yearly pilgrimage of observant Muslims to the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia.
“The delegation will depart to Saudi Arabia tonight,” Imran Siddique, the religion ministry spokesman, told Arab News.
On Tuesday, the Saudi delegation called on Shehzad Arbab, the prime minister’s adviser on Hajj operations, to discuss arrangements for pre-departure immigration of Pakistanis at major airports in the country.
“The adviser to Prime Minister and Coordinator Hajj Operation urged for making all out arrangements to make the Road to Makkah project successful and emphasized all relevant authorities and organizations to make coordinated steps to fulfill all the requirements as per satisfaction of the Saudi authorities,” the press information department said in a statement.
The Saudi team’s visit is part of the “Road to Makkah Project” which Pakistan was formally included in by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in February. The project aims at facilitating Hajj pilgrims from across the Muslim world.
The crown prince also announced during his February visit to Islamabad that all pilgrims traveling from Pakistan could now clear immigration at local airports.
Saudi delegation concludes visit after reviewing Hajj arrangements
Saudi delegation concludes visit after reviewing Hajj arrangements
- Saudi immigration and passport officials visit Islamabad airport on Wednesday, will return home tonight
- Call on prime minister’s adviser on Hajj operations to discuss pre-departure immigration arrangements for Pakistanis
