Pakistan’s Hajj official praises Saudi initiatives for pilgrim safety with Nusuk cards, cooling measures

Pakistan’s Hajj official praises Saudi initiatives for pilgrim safety with Nusuk cards, cooling measures
Pakistani Hajj mission officials work in a call center in Makkah, Saudi Arabia on May 25, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Hajj Mission)
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Updated 05 June 2024
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Pakistan’s Hajj official praises Saudi initiatives for pilgrim safety with Nusuk cards, cooling measures

Pakistan’s Hajj official praises Saudi initiatives for pilgrim safety with Nusuk cards, cooling measures
  • Nusuk cards, available in both physical and digital formats, contain detailed information on every pilgrim
  • The Saudi authorities have also ensured functional cooling system at every location amid extreme heat

ISLAMABAD: The head of Pakistan’s Hajj mission in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday applauded the kingdom for systematically distributing special identification cards among pilgrims and ensuring a functional cooling system at every location amid extreme heat while discussing preparations for the upcoming annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The Saudi government has taken several measures in recent years to facilitate pilgrims and make their spiritual journey more comfortable, including the introduction of Nusuk cards in both physical and digital formats, which contain detailed information about each pilgrim, including their identity and pilgrimage registration details.
These cards are mandatory for all pilgrims to gain access to holy sites and facilitate movement within Makkah, as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to streamline the Hajj process and ensure safety by distinguishing registered pilgrims from unauthorized individuals.
“Saudi Arabia is committed to providing all possible services along with maximum comfort and facilities to pilgrims to reduce any inconvenience,” Director General of Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro told Arab News in a telephone interview from Makkah.
He highlighted the Route to Makkah initiative had greatly benefited Pakistani pilgrims traveling from Karachi and Islamabad, which allows pilgrims to complete the immigration process in their home countries while reducing waiting times at Saudi airports.
“To facilitate the pilgrimage experience for people from across the world, Saudi authorities have taken steps including the enforcement of legitimate Hajj through Nusuk cards, implementation of cooling measures like misting fans and developing shaded areas along with the provision of air-conditioned tents for pilgrims in Mashair,” Soomro said, referring to the general area where Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat are located and where the pilgrimage rituals are performed.
“Along with these other services included accessibility to free medical services through hospitals and clinics, placement of first aid stations in Mashair and provision of guidance and support via information centers and volunteer staff,” he continued.
The Hajj official noted the transformation of the pilgrimage experience by corporate-style service providers had also led to reduced costs for people and improvement in service quality.
Additionally, the first-come-first-served basis zone allocation in Mina, he pointed out, had prompted Hajj missions and private groups to complete their contracts well ahead of time to secure spaces of their choice.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, with around 70,000 people performing the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest will use private tour operators.
Over 85,000 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia, with 55,284 coming under the government scheme and over 30,000 through private operators.
Speaking about Pakistani pilgrims, Soomro said the country’s Hajj mission offered a range of facilities, covering accommodation, transportation, food and medical services.
“In the kingdom, facilities for Pakistani pilgrims include 100 percent accommodation in Madinah Markazia [central], one hospital and nine dispensaries in Makkah, one hospital and three dispensaries in Madinah operating 24/7, 18 ambulances in service, guidance from welfare staff at airports, Haram entry points, bus stations, and Mashair, and dedicated staff at each building’s reception to promptly address pilgrims’ concerns,” he added.
The official said around 154 buildings had been rented for the accommodation of pilgrims in Makkah.
“In Mina, spaces have been reserved in Zones Two and Four,” he added. “Arrangements include tents equipped with amenities like cold water, sofa mattresses, air coolers or air-conditioners and welfare staff also performs duties in Mashair for pilgrim’s facilitation.”
For hassle-free and luxurious transportation, Soomro said 239 buses had been arranged this year, with shuttle service remaining available round the clock.
“A 100 percent train service is provided for Mashair for government scheme pilgrims, while pilgrims under private schemes will utilize bus facilities during Mashair days,” he added.
The top Hajj official said complaints and feedback were managed through designated channels such as the Pak Hajj app, toll-free numbers, WhatsApp and manual visits.
“Authorities promptly resolve these complaints, as a dedicated team also deputed at the call center,” he added.


Pakistan army chief meets Saudi crown prince to discuss regional peace, defense cooperation

Pakistan army chief meets Saudi crown prince to discuss regional peace, defense cooperation
Updated 06 November 2024
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Pakistan army chief meets Saudi crown prince to discuss regional peace, defense cooperation

Pakistan army chief meets Saudi crown prince to discuss regional peace, defense cooperation
  • PM Shehbaz Sharif last week met Saudi crown prince to discuss bilateral economic, defense ties
  • Meeting takes place amid regional tensions due to Israel’s military campaigns in Gaza, Lebanon

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday to discuss issues of common interest such as regional peace, bilateral defense and security cooperation, the military said.
The development takes place after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last week during his two-day visit to the Kingdom. The two leaders discussed bilateral economic ties and regional developments, with Sharif apprising the crown prince that the Kingdom had a “central role” to play in Pakistan’s “future economic plans.”
In October, Pakistani and Saudi businesses signed 27 agreements and memorandums of understanding valued at $2.2 billion. During Sharif’s visit to the Kingdom last week, the two countries agreed to increase this figure to $2.8 billion.
Munir, who is currently on an official visit to the Kingdom, met the Saudi crown prince at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, the Inter-Services Public Relations, (ISPR) the military’s media wing, said in a statement.
“The two dignitaries engaged in a comprehensive discussion on a range of issues of mutual interest, including regional peace, defense and security cooperation, and strategies for enhancing bilateral relations,” the ISPR said.

In this handout photograph, released by the Saudi Press Agency on November 6, 2024, Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. (SPA)

The army’s media wing said Munir expressed his gratitude to the Saudi crown prince for his “steadfast support for Pakistan,” acknowledging his role in fostering peace and stability across the region.
Their meeting also takes place amid a surge in regional tensions following Israel’s military campaigns in Palestine and Lebanon, and its missile attack on Iran last month.
Munir also separately met Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman, the ISPR said, adding that the two vowed to further strengthen cooperation in the defense and security domains.

In this handout photograph, released by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on November 6, 2024, Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir meets Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman in Riyadh. (Photo courtesy: ISPR)

The Pakistan army chief also held meetings with Saudi Arabia’s assistant minister of defense, air chief, chief of general staff of the Royal Saudi Armed Forces and chief of Royal Saudi Land Forces, the ISPR said.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial ties rooted in shared history, culture, faith and economic ties. The Kingdom is the top source of workers’ remittances for Pakistan, crucial for Islamabad to help keep its $350 billion economy afloat.
Saudi Arabia has often come to cash-strapped Pakistan’s aid, bailing it out of its prolonged economic crisis through debt rollers and by providing it oil on deferred payments.


Pakistan may find common ground with Trump but won’t be ‘first priority’ — analysts

Pakistan may find common ground with Trump but won’t be ‘first priority’ — analysts
Updated 06 November 2024
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Pakistan may find common ground with Trump but won’t be ‘first priority’ — analysts

Pakistan may find common ground with Trump but won’t be ‘first priority’ — analysts
  • Republican nominee Donald Trump beat Kamala Harris in 46th US Presidential Election on Tuesday
  • Analysts predict Trump will not be able to normalize ties between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani political analysts and foreign affairs experts on Wednesday predicted that Islamabad may find common ground with Washington under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, however, the country will not be his “first priority” in the backdrop of more pressing global issues.
American billionaire and former president Donald Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris in Tuesday’s race to get elected as the 47th US president after bagging key battleground states.
Victory in Wisconsin after earlier triumphs in Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania saw the former president clear the threshold of the 270 Electoral College votes required to clinch the White House.
Pakistan places great value on its relations with the US. Once close allies, Washington and Islamabad have collaborated closely in the domains of militancy, economy, security, trade and global affairs. Ties between the two countries remained strained over the past couple of years as Washington remained suspicious of Pakistan’s alleged support to the Taliban in its takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
“Well, I think Pakistan or the PTI [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party] will not be President Trump’s first priority,” former Pakistani diplomat Javed Hafeez told Arab News.
“He has many other issues to tackle, be it Ukraine or be it the war in Gaza and Lebanon. So Pakistan would not be on top of his priorities but down the line somewhere,” he added.


Senior political analyst Zaigham Khan said Islamabad and Washington may improve their relations based on some common ground under a new American administration.
“We may find a common ground on Afghanistan because Trump is not very happy with the Taliban,” Khan said. “So that could be one area of convergence between the US and Pakistan.”
Dr. Qamar Cheema, executive director of the Islamabad-based Sanober Institute which holds dialogues on geopolitics and governance, said Trump would not be able to normalize ties between India and Pakistan.
Relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, who have fought two wars over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir they administer in parts, have been strained since 2019. 
Islamabad has asked New Delhi to reverse its controversial 2019 decision to strip Indian-administered Kashmir of its autonomy for it to normalize relations with its neighbor. India refuses to do so.


“US President Donald Trump will not be able to play a role in normalizing Pakistan-India relations,” Cheema told Arab News.
“The reason for this is that in the past, he tried to normalize Pakistan-India relations, but India rejected it and said it is a bilateral issue and that it will not normalize relations with Pakistan.”
Former prime minister Imran Khan’s PTI party, which has blamed Joe Biden’s administration for orchestrating his removal from office in 2022 via a “foreign conspiracy,” has expressed hope Trump would pressurize Pakistani authorities to order his release from prison.
Imran Khan has been in jail since August 2023 after he was convicted on charges ranging from corruption to violating Pakistan’s marriage laws, which he says are politically motivated. 
As prime minister, Imran Khan met Trump in 2019 for the first time during which the two leaders praised each other. 
Cheema, however, thought Trump will not call for Khan’s release from prison. 
“I don’t think Trump will be able to do anything for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf but since former prime minister Imran Khan met Trump in the past, maybe he thinks that some role could be played,” he said. 
Khan agreed, saying that Washington did not enjoy the same “leverage” it did with Pakistan years ago. 
“I don’t think America enjoys that kind of leverage any longer,” he said. “It enjoys that when it’s giving generous aid to Pakistan.”


Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani army chief in Riyadh

Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani army chief in Riyadh
Updated 06 November 2024
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Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani army chief in Riyadh

Saudi crown prince meets with Pakistani army chief in Riyadh
  • Both reviewed Saudi-Pakistani relations and opportunities to develop them 
  • Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, other officials attended meeting

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir in Riyadh on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the reception, Saudi-Pakistani relations and opportunities to develop them were reviewed. A number of issues of common interest were also discussed.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman and other officials.

In this handout photograph, released by the Saudi Press Agency on November 6, 2024, Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. (SPA)

 


Pakistan PM visits China embassy after guard shoots Chinese nationals at Karachi factory

Pakistan PM visits China embassy after guard shoots Chinese nationals at Karachi factory
Updated 06 November 2024
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Pakistan PM visits China embassy after guard shoots Chinese nationals at Karachi factory

Pakistan PM visits China embassy after guard shoots Chinese nationals at Karachi factory
  • Pakistani security guard shot two Chinese nationals at Karachi textile mill on Tuesday 
  • Shehbaz Sharif vows culprit will be punished, says security of Chinese nationals top priority

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Chinese embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday to condemn an attack on Chinese nationals in Karachi a day earlier, vowing to bring the perpetrator of the crime to book.
Pakistan police have filed terrorism charges against a security guard for firing at four Chinese nationals on Tuesday morning at a textile mill in Karachi. The Chinese nationals were at the mill to install new machinery when the guard opened fire at them “for unknown reasons” before fleeing, police said.
Two Chinese nationals were injured in the attack. Sharif visited the Chinese embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday where he met the country’s envoy Jiang Zaidong to condemn the incident.
“I have come here to meet you to condemn this attack on Chinese nationals and to inquire after the injured,” Sharif told Zaidong according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on November 6, 2024. (Photo courtesy: PMO)

The prime minister assured the Chinese ambassador that the culprit would be arrested soon and handed an exemplary punishment.
“I am personally monitoring the process of arresting the people involved in the incident and bringing them to justice,” Sharif said.
The Pakistani premier said he had issued instructions for the injured Chinese nationals to be provided the best possible medical care, describing China as a longstanding friend of Pakistan.
“The attack on Chinese citizens is a blatant attempt to damage the brotherly relations between Pakistan and China,” Sharif said.
He said that the security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan is the government’s top priority. The Chinese ambassador thanked Sharif for his visit and hoped the premier would play his role in ensuring the culprit is punished, the PMO said.
Sharif was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his aide Tariq Fatemi.
ATTACKS ON CHINESE NATIONALS
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in attacks on Chinese nationals in recent months by separatist outfits based in its southwestern Balochistan province. 
China, breaking with tradition, recently spoke out publicly against security threats to its workers and nationals in Pakistan, where hundreds work on Beijing-funded projects linked to the over $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Last month, two Chinese nationals were killed in a suicide bombing near the international airport in Karachi. In March this year, a suicide bombing killed five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver in northwestern Pakistan as they headed to the Dasu Dam, the largest hydropower project in the country.
In 2022, three Chinese educators and their Pakistani driver were killed when an explosion tore through a van at the University of Karachi. A bus blast in northern Pakistan in 2021 killed 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals.
Pakistan announced in a joint statement with China last month it had agreed to increase security for Chinese citizens and projects in the South Asian nation, as Beijing called for urgent security measures following a surge in militant threats.


Pakistan to unveil new electric vehicle policy by November end — minister

Pakistan to unveil new electric vehicle policy by November end — minister
Updated 06 November 2024
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Pakistan to unveil new electric vehicle policy by November end — minister

Pakistan to unveil new electric vehicle policy by November end — minister
  • Islamabad has increasingly eyed promoting electric vehicles to cut pollution, high energy bill 
  • Government to set up 10,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2030, says industries minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will announce its new electric vehicles policy by the end of November, Industries and Production Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain said on Wednesday, as Islamabad eyes eco-friendly transportation to cut down on costly fuel imports and pollution. 
Pakistan’s urban areas exhibit some of the world’s highest levels of air pollution, primarily due to sub-2.5 μm particulate emissions. This issue significantly impairs both the country’s economy as it imports most of its energy needs, and the quality of life of its residents. Road transport is a significant contributor to air pollution as around 23 percent of Pakistan’s greenhouse gas emissions originate from vehicles.
Pakistan approved an ambitious National Electric Vehicles Policy (NEVP) in 2019 with the goal that electric vehicles would comprise 30 percent of all passenger vehicles and heavy-duty truck sales by 2030. It has set an even more ambitious target of electric vehicles comprising 90 percent of all vehicle sales by 2040.
“He [Hussain] said the government would launch the second electric vehicle policy by November 30 to promote eco-friendly transportation,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said. 
The minister was speaking to reporters in Islamabad while attending an exhibition of electric bike models. He highlighted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had allocated around $14.29 million (Rs4 billion) to support his vision of introducing electric vehicles in the country to reduce fuel dependency and decrease carbon emissions.
Hussain said electric three-wheelers manufactured in Pakistan were also being exported to other countries, adding that the government was willing to provide subsidies on electric two-wheelers. The minister also announced the government’s initiative to distribute 100 e-bikes free of cost among high-achieving students.
Hussain said the government planned to transform the transportation landscape by setting up 10,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2030.
“This shift toward eco-friendly transportation is expected to have a positive impact on Pakistan’s environment and economy,” he said. “With the government’s support and private sector investment, the country is poised for a greener future.”
In August, Warren Buffett-backed Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD announced its entry into the country, saying that up to 50 percent of all vehicles bought in Pakistan by 2030 will be electrified in some form in line with global targets. 
Investment company ADM Group also announced in August it would invest up to $250 million for the manufacturing of electric vehicles in Pakistan in a move that will boost technological advancements in the country’s automobile industry and curtail pollution.