Latest news with #SardarMuhammadYousaf
Arab News
3 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Pakistan says Makkah Route Initiative to be extended to other cities for next year's Hajj
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced on Sunday that the Makkah Route Initiative facility will be extended to other cities of the country for next year's Hajj pilgrimage. The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to streamline immigration processes by enabling pilgrims to complete official travel formalities at their departure airports. Initially tested in Islamabad in 2019, the program was later expanded to Karachi, benefitting tens of thousands of Pakistani travelers. This saves pilgrims several hours upon arrival in the Kingdom, as they can simply enter the country without having to go through immigration again. Yousaf met Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Pakistan's religion ministry said on Sunday, to discuss Hajj 2025 arrangements in the Kingdom. 'The scope of the Road to Makkah project will be extended to other cities of Pakistan for the next (2026) Hajj,' Yousaf was quoted as saying by the ministry. He thanked the Saudi government for introducing 'innovations and new facilities' every year for the convenience of Hajj pilgrims, including those from Pakistan. 'The best facilities of food, transport and accommodation are being provided to Pakistani pilgrims,' Yousaf said. As per the Pakistani religion ministry, Al-Rabiah said the Kingdom would provide the best possible facilities to Pakistani pilgrims at Mina and Arafah. 'A large number of pilgrims come from Pakistan, it is an honor to serve them,' the Saudi minister was quoted as saying. This year, the Hajj rituals will commence on June 4, with the Day of Arafah on June 5, and Eid Al-Adha observed on June 6 in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan on Saturday successfully concluded its 33-day pre-Hajj flight operation, with more than 115,000 pilgrims transported to Saudi Arabia ahead of this year's pilgrimage.
Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt says 25,698 to perform Hajj under private quota this year
Listen to article Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced on Friday that about 25,698 pilgrims will be able to perform Hajj this year under the private scheme. This sharp reduction follows thousands of revoked slots due to private operators' failure to comply with Saudi Arabia's booking rules and deadlines. Saudi Arabia had allocated Pakistan a total Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims for 2025. Traditionally, this quota is split evenly between the government and private sectors. However, the private sector's share dropped drastically from 89,801 to just over 25,000 after failing to meet procedural requirements set by Saudi authorities, leaving more than 67,000 prospective pilgrims affected. Yousaf said during a press conference that by February 14, only 3,600 pilgrims had submitted payments, but after a one-week extension, the number rose to 13,000. Read more: Funds for 67,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims sent to wrong account He also noted that while 904 private Hajj operators were registered with Saudi authorities based on the ministry's list, many pilgrims made payments to unregistered operators, ignoring official guidelines. A committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will investigate the issue, Yousaf added. He confirmed that Pakistani pilgrims would be transported by Pakistan International Airlines, Saudi Airlines, Air Sial, Airblue, and Serene Air. Earlier this month, the ministry urged pilgrims to verify the authenticity of private tour operators before making payments and to rely only on the ministry's official channels to avoid fraud. Some registered private operators also failed to meet Saudi deadlines for payment, prompting Premier Sharif to secure an extension, which was granted. The Hajj pilgrimage is expected to take place between June 4 and June 9. Nearly 89,000 Pakistanis are set to travel under the government scheme, with Pakistan's Hajj flight operation having started on April 29. So far, 55,642 pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia via 244 flights.
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
15-05-2025
- Arab News
Pakistan launches second phase of Hajj flight operations
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched the second phase of Pakistan Hajj flight operations for pilgrims traveling under the government-sponsored scheme, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Thursday. Over 89,000 pilgrims will travel under the government's scheme during Pakistan's 33-day-long Hajj flight operations, which started on April 29. Pilgrims will travel to Makkah and Madinah via 342 flights in total, with the last one departing from Pakistan on May 31. On Wednesday, as the second phase of operations started, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf received 305 pilgrims at Jeddah airport. They had arrived directly from Islamabad under the Makkah Route Initiative. 'Almost 46,000 pilgrims will arrive in Makkah via Jeddah by the 31st of this month,' Radio Pakistan reported. 'They will then proceed to Madinah after performing Hajj.' The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to streamline immigration processes by enabling pilgrims to complete official travel formalities at their departure airports. Initially tested in Islamabad in 2019, the program was later expanded to Karachi, benefitting tens of thousands of Pakistani travelers. This saves pilgrims several hours upon arrival in the Kingdom, as they can simply enter the country without having to go through immigration again. Around 50,500 Pakistani pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia under the initiative this year. The scheme was launched in 2019 by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and has been implemented in five countries: Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco and Bangladesh. This year's annual pilgrimage will take place in June, with nearly 89,000 Pakistanis expected to perform Hajj under the government scheme and over 23,620 Pakistanis through private tour operators.
Arab News
14-05-2025
- Arab News
Religious minister directs prompt distribution of Nusuk permit cards to Pakistani Hajj pilgrims
ISLAMABAD: Religious Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has instructed the Pakistan Hajj Mission to promptly distribute Nusuk identification cards to pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia, state media reported this week. Over the last few years, Saudi Arabia has launched mobile apps like Nusuk, Hajj Navigator, Tawakkalna and Asefny to streamline services, offer real-time guidance and ensure pilgrim safety. Nusuk cards are an essential Hajj permit 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. The Nusuk app offers permit issuance, booking services, interactive maps, real-time updates and health facility access in multiple languages. 'Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Tuesday directed the Pakistan Hajj Mission to ensure the immediate delivery of Nusuk Cards to incoming pilgrims upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia,' the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said on Tuesday. So far, 2,800 pilgrims traveling from Madinah to Makkah had received their Nusuk cards, the minister added. This year's annual pilgrimage is expected to take place between June 4-9, with nearly 89,000 Pakistanis expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme and 23,620 Pakistanis through private tour operators.
