ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has praised Saudi Arabia’s Hajj arrangements and thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Kingdom’s Hajj ministry for facilities provided to Pakistani pilgrims during a visit to Mina camps housing worshippers from the South Asian nation, the minister’s office said on Tuesday.
This year’s Hajj is taking place during intense summer temperatures, with authorities focusing heavily on heat management, crowd control and medical services for millions of pilgrims gathered in and around the holy city of Makkah. Pakistan is among the world’s largest Hajj contingents, with around 179,000 pilgrims expected to perform Hajj this year under both government and private schemes, including more than 115,000 under the government program.
Saudi Arabia has in recent years expanded digital services, transport infrastructure and crowd-management systems to improve the pilgrimage experience and reduce risks during one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.
During his visit to Mina, Naqvi inspected different Pakistani pilgrims’ camps and met worshippers, particularly elderly pilgrims, according to a statement issued by the interior ministry.
“Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah deserve special thanks,” Naqvi said, praising arrangements made for Pakistani pilgrims this year.
The minister also commended Saudi authorities for completing Pakistani pilgrims’ immigration process before departure from Pakistan, describing it as a major facilitation measure for travelers.
The statement said Naqvi met a 100-year-old Pakistani pilgrim during the camp visit and praised his determination and spirit.
Naqvi asked pilgrims about accommodation, food and transport facilities at the camps, with several worshippers telling him arrangements this year were better than previous years, according to the ministry.
“Some issues were faced, but the staff cooperated a lot,” the ministry quoted pilgrims as saying.
Naqvi also praised Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and the Pakistan Hajj Mission for their management of this year’s pilgrimage operations.
“Every pilgrim is very special for us,” the minister said. “You have staff available for resolving your problems.”
