Latest news with #PakistanHajjMission
Arab News
29-06-2025
- Arab News
Islamabad says 21,700 Hajj pilgrims have left for Pakistan from Madinah so far
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's post-Hajj flight operations are in full swing as 21,700 pilgrims have so far departed for Pakistan from Madinah, state-run media reported this week, with more expected to leave in the coming days. Pakistan began its post-Hajj flight operations on June 11 with the arrival of a Pakistan International Airlines flight, PK-732, in Islamabad carrying 307 pilgrims. The flights are expected to conclude by July 10. State broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday that Pakistani pilgrims are arriving in Madinah following the completion of their Hajj rituals in Makkah. It said the post-Hajj phase has begun under the supervision of the newly established Main Control Office (MCO) to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims for their return to the country. 'So far, 21,700 Pakistani pilgrims have departed for Pakistan from Madinah, with the remaining expected to leave in the coming days,' the state broadcaster said. It said the MCO, set up in coordination with the Pakistan Hajj Mission Madinah, has been equipped with dedicated sections such as Lost and Found, Complaint Cell, Airport Team and other support services. It said all sections are fully operational to ensure seamless facilitation for pilgrims traveling from Makkah to Madinah before their return to Pakistan. 'The office is managing pilgrims' accommodation, food, transportation, and other logistical needs during their stay in Madinah,' Radio Pakistan said. Pakistan received a quota of 179,210 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025, which was evenly divided between the government and private Hajj operators. While the government filled its full allocation of over 88,000 pilgrims, a major portion of the private quota remained unutilized due to delays by companies in meeting payment and registration deadlines.
Arab News
03-06-2025
- General
- Arab News
Pakistan urges Hajj pilgrims to follow Saudi directives on sacrifice, stoning of the devil
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hajj Mission Makkah has advised the country's pilgrims to follow the directives issued by Saudi Arabia concerning the stoning of the devil or 'Rami Al-Jamarat' and animal sacrifice rituals during the annual Islamic pilgrimage, state-run media reported on Monday. Hajj pilgrims take part in the symbolic stoning of the devil, which is among the final rites of the pilgrimage. Pilgrims throw pebbles at three pillars in Mina, performing the ritual during the three days of the Hajj starting on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. State broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported that each Maktab will have designated timings for the act of stoning the devil on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. 'Every 'Nazim' [administrator] is bound to ensure that the intending pilgrims perform this ritual as per their allocated time slot,' Radio Pakistan said. 'Therefore, all pilgrims are advised to proceed in groups under the supervision of their 'Nazim' as per schedule.' The state broadcaster also reported that the Saudi authorities have set the time for sacrificing animals for Pakistani Hujjaj on the night between the 10th and 11th of Dhul Hijjah at 12:30 am. 'Hence, all pilgrims are urged to complete the 'Rami' of the first day before midnight,' it said. 'Pakistani Mission has strongly urged the Hujjaj to strictly follow these instructions to avoid any untoward situation.' During the Hajj pilgrimage, which concludes this year on Monday, June 9, pilgrims are required to sacrifice an animal. Nearly 89,000 Pakistanis have traveled to Saudi Arabia under the government's Hajj scheme and over 23,620 Pakistanis are performing the Hajj through private tour operators.
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Arab News
Pakistan conducts trainings for Hajj support staff to assist pilgrims at Mashair sites
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hajj Mission (PHM) is conducting trainings for Hajj support staff from May 3-27 to orient them with knowledge of routes, accommodations and responsibilities related to assisting pilgrims as they visit sacred sites for the annual pilgrimage in Makkah, state news agency APP reported on Thursday. This year, Pakistan has employed 561 Hajj support staff, known as Moavineen, to assist nearly 112,620 Pakistanis set to perform the annual pilgrimage, which will fall in the first week of June. 'Over 430 Moavineen currently serving in the transport, accommodation and food departments have been oriented so far on how to assist Pakistani intending pilgrims in Mashair during the Hajj days,' APP reported, quoting Deputy Coordinator Operation Sadaqat Ali as saying. Mashair refers to sacred sites in Makkah where pilgrims visit or perform Hajj rituals, including Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. Pakistani pilgrims have been assigned 34 maktabs, numbered from 101 to 134, in Mina, while 17 maktabs are located on roads 56 and 62. The remaining are situated on road 511, the report said. The term maktab in the context of Hajj refers to an administrative office or center that provides pilgrims with essential services during their stay in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has also recently reviewed the transport, accommodation, and catering arrangements for pilgrims, APP added. For the first time, Pakistani Hajj pilgrims will have access to fully air-conditioned camps in Mina and will be accommodated in top-of-the-line hotels and buildings in the Azizia and Batha Quraish neighborhoods. Over 35,000 pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia so far to attend the pilgrimage, according to Pakistani state media.
Arab News
03-05-2025
- Arab News
Over 8,800 Pakistani pilgrims in Madinah with 3,300 more expected today — state media
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Hajj mission in Saudi Arabia has received nearly 8,890 pilgrims in Madinah, state media reported on Saturday, adding that 3,300 more were expected to arrive by the end of the day. Pakistan launched its Hajj flights on April 29. For the first 15 days of the operation, pilgrims will continue to arrive in Madinah. Afterward, incoming pilgrims will land in Jeddah and travel directly to Makkah. 'The Pakistan Hajj Mission has so far received approximately 8,890 intending Pakistani pilgrims in Madinah by Saturday, who arrived through 35 flights operated by various airlines from major cities of Pakistan to perform their religious obligation under the government scheme,' the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. 'As many as 12 flights, carrying 3,300 more pilgrims, are scheduled to arrive in the holy City Madinah on Saturday,' it added. Pilgrims from across the world are converging in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, which begins on the 8th of Dhu Al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar. The first groups of Pakistani pilgrims are scheduled to depart for Makkah on May 7 after completing their eight-day stay in Madinah. Departures will follow the sequence of their arrival in the city, according to the religious affairs ministry. Under the single-route system, all Pakistani pilgrims arriving in Madinah will proceed to Makkah for Hajj before returning to Pakistan via Jeddah. Pilgrims flying directly to Makkah will later visit Madinah before departing for home. Upon reaching Makkah, pilgrims will perform their first obligatory Umrah, according to the ministry.
