Pakistan, Saudi Arabia sign Hajj 2024 agreement in Jeddah

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the annual Hajj agreement in Jeddah on Monday, a spokesperson of Pakistan’s religion ministry confirmed, according to which 179,210 pilgrims from the South Asian country would be able to perform the annual pilgrimage this year.

The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage that requires every Muslim adult to undertake a journey to the holy sites in Makkah at least once in their life if they are physically and financially capable of doing so. Out of a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims, Pakistan allocated 89,000 to the government scheme while the remaining pilgrims would be facilitated by private Hajj operators. 

Pakistan’s Caretaker Religious Affairs Minister Aneeq Ahmed set off for Saudi Arabia on Saturday to finalize Hajj arrangements and attend an international conference hosted by the kingdom.

“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed the annual Hajj general agreement in Jeddah and under the agreement 179,210 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims will perform pilgrimage this year,” Muhammad Umer Butt, a spokesperson of Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry, told Arab News.

In a video footage shared by Radio Pakistan, Saudi Hajj Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah and Ahmed could be seen signing the agreement.

Butt said the Pakistani delegation accompanying Ahmed would also participate in the World Hajj Expo, which is set to kick off in Jeddah today (Monday). 

“Hajj Expo will have more deals for the convenience of pilgrims,” Butt said, adding that the Pakistani delegation would visit the stalls of companies providing facilities to pilgrims.

Last year, Ahmed mentioned expanding the Makkah Route Initiative, previously limited to Islamabad, to Karachi in 2024. The initiative streamlines the process for pilgrims performing Hajj under the government scheme by allowing them to complete all immigration formalities required for entry into Saudi Arabia at their local airports in Pakistan.