ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the best possible facilities and services for intending Hajj pilgrims this year.
Speaking to the media after visiting Haji camp in Karachi on Friday, the minister confirmed that a total of 179,210 pilgrims from Pakistan will perform Hajj this year.
Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, and it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it at least once in their lifetime.
Sardar Muhammad Yousuf noted that to ensure a smooth process, comprehensive training sessions for the pilgrims are currently underway, alongside the mandatory biometric verification.
Regarding arrangements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Sardar Muhammad Yousuf assured that residential, transport, and catering facilities have been significantly improved.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan has extended the deadline for Hajj pilgrims to complete their mandatory biometric registration. Under the government scheme, aspiring pilgrims now have until February 17 to submit their biometrics for the visa process.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) had previously set February 8 as the final date for biometric submission. Following the passing of that deadline, however, the ministry issued a notification extending it to February 17 for those applying under the government Hajj scheme.
