Pakistan vows more facilities for elderly pilgrims in ‘even better' Hajj 2026
This year's Hajj took place from June 4 to June 9, drawing millions of pilgrims to the holy cities in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan sent over 115,000 pilgrims under both the government and private schemes.
Speaking at a ceremony held to acknowledge the services of the Pakistani welfare staff during Hajj in Makkah, Soomro said the government introduces new measures every Hajj for its pilgrims and would continue to do so.
'In the next Hajj, we will try to make it even better,' Soomro said on Monday. 'We will try to ensure that aged pilgrims, for example, are not allocated a room above the first floor.'
The Pakistani official said the government would also try to ensure that elderly pilgrims are provided accommodations close to the Mashair, or holy sites in Makkah, for their convenience.
'So, these small things that we are adding every year are enriching the overall experience of the pilgrim,' Soomro said.
Dr. Syed Ata ur Rehman, Pakistan's secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, also spoke at the event. He reminded authorities that the post-Hajj flight operation will continue until the last Pakistani pilgrim and welfare staff return to the country.
'Therefore, the remaining part of the operation should be carried out with the same diligence, attention and caution so that the glory of this success does not diminish,' Rehman told participants.
Pakistan began its post-Hajj flight operation with the arrival of the Pakistan International Airline flight PK-732 in Islamabad on June 11, carrying 307 pilgrims. The country is expected to conclude the operation on July 10.
Over 11,400 pilgrims, including around 3,000 from Madinah, have returned to Pakistan so far, as per figures provided by Pakistan's religious affairs minister.
The government has announced it has begun preparations for Hajj 2026 as it has received the Saudi Hajj policy and timeline for next year's pilgrimage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
13 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan's deadline for receiving Hajj applications under government scheme to expire today
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's deadline for receiving Hajj 2026 applications under the government scheme is set to expire today, Monday, state-run media reported as authorities says over 110,000 applications have been received during the last 12 days. Pakistan extended the deadline for receiving Hajj applications under the government scheme on Saturday. The country announced earlier this month it has been allocated a quota of 179,210 pilgrims, of which 129,210 seats have been allocated under the government scheme and the rest to private tour operators. Pakistan's religious affairs ministry said on Saturday that designated banks will keep receiving Hajj applications on Monday, adding that only 7,000 seats under the government scheme were available. 'Today is the last date for submission of applications under government Hajj scheme,' state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said in a report. 'The process of receiving Hajj applications will be stopped once seats are filled.' Only designated banks would receive the applications, the ministry had clarified last week, adding that its online portal would stop accepting applications at midnight on Aug. 16. Pakistan began receiving applications on Aug. 4, advising applicants to obtain computerized receipts and verify their details through the ministry's portal or the Pak Hajj 2026 app. Under the government scheme, pilgrims can choose between a long package (38-42 days) and a short package (20-25 days), with costs ranging between Rs1,150,000 and Rs1,250,000 ($4,050–4,236). Applicants are required to deposit a first installment of Rs500,000 [$1764] or Rs550,000 [$1941] depending on the package, while the remaining dues will be collected in November. Saudi Arabia had approved the same quota for Pakistan in 2025, though private tour operators last year struggled to utilize their share, saying they faced technical and financial delays, even as the government filled its quota of over 88,000 pilgrims.
Arab News
15 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan's deadline for Hajj applications under government scheme to expire today
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's deadline for receiving Hajj 2026 applications under the government scheme is set to expire today, Monday, state-run media reported as authorities says over 110,000 applications have been received during the last 12 days. Pakistan extended the deadline for receiving Hajj applications under the government scheme on Saturday. The country announced earlier this month it has been allocated a quota of 179,210 pilgrims, of which 129,210 seats have been allocated under the government scheme and the rest to private tour operators. Pakistan's religious affairs ministry said on Saturday that designated banks will keep receiving Hajj applications on Monday, adding that only 7,000 seats under the government scheme were available. 'Today is the last date for submission of applications under government Hajj scheme,' state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said in a report. 'The process of receiving Hajj applications will be stopped once seats are filled.' Only designated banks would receive the applications, the ministry had clarified last week, adding that its online portal would stop accepting applications at midnight on Aug. 16. Pakistan began receiving applications on Aug. 4, advising applicants to obtain computerized receipts and verify their details through the ministry's portal or the Pak Hajj 2026 app. Under the government scheme, pilgrims can choose between a long package (38-42 days) and a short package (20-25 days), with costs ranging between Rs1,150,000 and Rs1,250,000 ($4,050–4,236). Applicants are required to deposit a first installment of Rs500,000 [$1764] or Rs550,000 [$1941] depending on the package, while the remaining dues will be collected in November. Saudi Arabia had approved the same quota for Pakistan in 2025, though private tour operators last year struggled to utilize their share, saying they faced technical and financial delays, even as the government filled its quota of over 88,000 pilgrims.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Pakistan will not restrict mountaineering expeditions despite recent deaths of climbers
PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Pakistan has issued no warnings or restrictions for mountaineering expeditions in the north, an official said Sunday, despite the recent deaths of climbers. Climbers were well aware of the harsh weather and all the other risks and challenges, said Faizullah Faraq, a spokesman for the government of Gilgit-Baltistan, the northern region home to some of the world's highest mountains. 'Despite that, they willingly accept these challenges and come here to attempt these summits.' Chinese climber Guan Jing, 37, was the latest person to perish on one of Pakistan's mountains. She died last Tuesday after being hit by falling rocks on K2, the world's second-highest peak known for its treacherous slopes and extreme weather conditions. Rescue teams recovered her body on Saturday. Her body was still in the mortuary of the Combined Military Hospital in Skardu on Sunday. Contact has been made with Chinese authorities in Islamabad, and 'now it is up to them to make further decisions in this regard,' said Faraq. Jing's death occurred several weeks after German mountaineer and Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier died while attempting Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountain range. Bodies of foreign climbers who die attempting to summit mountains in Pakistan are typically recovered at the request of their families. But if the family declines a rescue, the remains are left at the spot where the climber died. Faraq said authorities were trying to provide climbers with better infrastructure, rescue facilities, security and a friendly environment. Mountaineering expeditions are the backbone of the local economy, bringing in millions of dollars in direct revenue. A large number of people work on these expeditions from May to September, feeding their families for the whole year with these earnings, he added. Hundreds of climbers try to scale mountains in northern Pakistan every year. Accidents are common because of avalanches and sudden weather changes. Last August, two Russians spent six days stranded on a remote peak before they were rescued. Gilgit-Baltistan, in Kashmir, has been battered by higher-than-normal monsoon rains this year, triggering flash floods and landslides.
