https://arab.news/bbqw5
- Over 80,000 Pakistani pilgrims performed Hajj in Saudi Arabia this year
- Post-Hajj flight operations to bring Pakistani pilgrims back to last till August 13
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hajj Mission in Saudi Arabia has called upon pilgrims to strictly follow the kingdom’s laws during their stay there, state-run media reported on Wednesday.
Up to one million people from all over the world performed the annual Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj this month as Saudi Arabia lifted coronavirus restrictions after two years. Pilgrims were required to be under 65 years and be vaccinated against coronavirus.
The kingdom allowed Pakistan a quota of 83,132 pilgrims this year out of which 34,453 availed the government’s Hajj scheme, while over 48,000 performed Hajj through private operators.
“Pakistani Hujjaj were asked to strictly follow Saudi laws during their stay in Saudi Arabia to protect the soft image of the country,” Pakistan’s Director Hajj Makkah, Sajid Manzoor Asadi, told Radio Pakistan.
“Pakistan Hajj Mission Makkah has already displayed travel instructions in the residential buildings of Pakistani pilgrims to guide them, which must be followed,” he said.
Pakistan also operated flights to transport more than 14,000 Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia this year under the Route to Makkah project from Islamabad, where the country launched a pilot project for the new immigration mechanism in 2019.
The Route to Makkah initiative allows pilgrims to fulfil all immigration requirements at the airport of origin. This saves them several hours upon reaching the kingdom since they can just enter the country, having already gone through immigration at home.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, 134 flights of Pakistani airlines, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Airblue, Serene Air, and Saudi Airlines would take part in the post-Hajj flight operation for pilgrims who used the government’s scheme. The operation will continue till August 13.
Pakistani pilgrims who returned from Saudi Arabia after performing Hajj on Tuesday praised the kingdom for employing “innovative” techniques that facilitated them in performing the Hajj in the sweltering heat.