RiYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki conducted an inspection of the Makkah Route Initiative facility at Islamabad International Airport, accompanied by Pakistan’s Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Zulfiqar Haider.
Al-Malki underscored the commitment of the Saudi government to allocate both human and financial resources to serve all visitors to the Kingdom and said that the Makkah Route Initiative represents an extension of that commitment.
During his visit, Al-Malki observed operations at the initiative’s facility and reviewed the procedures carried out by Pakistani and Saudi authorities to facilitate and streamline the Hajj journey for the program’s beneficiaries.
The Makkah Route Initiative, a part of the Ministry of Interior’s Guests of God Service Program, aims to provide top-tier services to Hajj pilgrims from beneficiary countries to the Kingdom.
The services include issuing e-visas, biometric verification, facilitating entry procedures at departure airports, ensuring compliance with health requirements, managing baggage logistics, arranging transportation and accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, and facilitating direct transfers to designated residences.
Over 65,000 Pakistani pilgrims are set to benefit from the initiative during this year’s Hajj — a significant increase from the 26,000 last year.
Pakistan launched Hajj operations at eight airports across the country on Thursday. The operations will continue until June 9. This year’s pilgrimage is scheduled to take place from June 14 to 19.
