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Express Tribune
13-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Hajj 2025: Pakistani pilgrims to receive 'historic' facilities
A pilgrim prays in front of the Holy Kaaba ahead of the Haj. PHOTO: REUTERS Listen to article Pakistani pilgrims performing Hajj this year will benefit from unprecedented and historic facilities, including fully air-conditioned camps and enhanced accommodation, according to Director Hajj in Makkah, Azizullah Khan. Speaking to Radio Pakistan on Tuesday, Khan said that for the first time, pilgrims from Pakistan will stay in upgraded camps in Mina equipped with sofa-cum-beds, gypsum board walls, and air conditioning, a major upgrade from previous arrangements with floor mattresses and air coolers. Elevated luggage storage racks have also been added to improve comfort. "Dedicated teams are working round the clock to oversee food, health, and transport arrangements for maximum facilitation of pilgrims," Khan said, adding that 99 per cent of Pakistani pilgrims have received their Nusuk cards, the official Hajj permit and identification tool introduced by Saudi authorities. Pilgrims will be accommodated in top-tier hotels and residential buildings in the Azizia and Batha Quraish neighbourhoods of Makkah. They will also receive specially designed Hajj kits, including a bag bearing the Pakistani flag, a QR code for identification, and essential information. Additionally, a mobile application will provide access to Hajj group data, training schedules, flight and accommodation details, and live location maps throughout the pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia has also expanded its use of digital tools such as the Nusuk, Hajj Navigator, Tawakkalna, and Asefny apps to streamline the pilgrim experience, ensure safety, and offer real-time guidance. In Pakistan, compulsory Hajj training began on January 18 with all relevant details available via the Pak Hajj 2025 Mobile App. For the first time under the government Hajj scheme, pilgrims have been offered the option to pay in three easy installments, and all financial transactions related to the pilgrimage have been fully digitised for greater transparency and accountability. To support pilgrims' health needs, Pakistan's Hajj Medical Mission has established hospitals in both Makkah and Madinah, in addition to two dispensaries in Madinah and nine in Makkah, all of which are fully operational. A Monitoring Cell has also been set up to assist private pilgrims and address any issues they may encounter. Specialised units, including a Wheelchair Desk, are available to cater to the needs of elderly or physically challenged pilgrims.
Arab News
13-05-2025
- Arab News
Pakistan says has introduced ‘historic' new facilities for Hajj pilgrims
ISLAMABAD: Director Hajj in Makkah, Azizullah Khan, said on Tuesday Pakistani pilgrims will this year enjoy 'historic facilities' in Mashair, sacred sites used during the Hajj pilgrimage, including fully air-conditioned camps in Mina with sofa-cum-beds, and improved accommodation in Makkah. Over the last few years, Saudi Arabia has launched mobile apps like Nusuk, Hajj Navigator, Tawakkalna and Asefny to streamline services, with the aim to make the Hajj experience smoother by offering real-time guidance and ensuring pilgrim safety. For the first time, Pakistani Hajj pilgrims will have access to fully air-conditioned camps in Mina and be accommodated in top-of-the-line hotels and buildings in the Azizia and Batha Quraish neighborhoods. Pilgrims will receive a specially designed bag containing the Pakistani flag, a QR code for identification, and relevant information. A mobile app will provide access to Hajj group information, training schedules, flight details, accommodation details, and live maps and locations during the pilgrimage. 'For the first time in history, Hujjaj will have sofa-cum-beds instead of mattresses while tents are upgraded with gypsum board walls and air coolers have been replaced with air conditioners,' Khan told Radio Pakistan, adding that elevated luggage storage racks had also been introduced to enhance comfort. 'Dedicated sections are overseeing food, health and transport related arrangements round the clock for maximum facilitation of the pilgrims,' he said, adding that 99 percent of pilgrims who had arrived in Saudi Arabia had received Nusuk cards. The cards are an essential Hajj permit, not just an ID, for pilgrims traveling to Makkah and the holy sites. It facilitates movement and ensures the well-being of Hajj pilgrims by managing logistics and administration. The card also allows pilgrims to access information about their Hajj mission, schedules, and allows for communication with their mission. Additionally, it enables receiving alerts, evaluating services, and filing observations. Compulsory Hajj training has been made available for all pilgrims in Pakistan, starting from Jan. 18, 2025, with details accessible through the 'Pak Hajj 2025 Mobile App.' For the government Hajj scheme, the option of three easy installments has been introduced for the first time. All Hajj-related financial transactions have also been digitized, ensuring transparency and accountability. Pakistan's Hajj medical mission includes a hospital each in Makkah and Madinah, along with two dispensaries in Madinah and nine in Makkah, all fully functional. A Monitoring Cell has been established to address potential issues faced by private pilgrims and provide support to them. Various specialized units, including a Wheelchair Desk, have been set up to cater to the needs of different groups of pilgrims.
