Key Point
- Abdul Wahab Soomro receives “Labaytum Excellence Award”
- Outstanding management of 179,000 Pakistani pilgrims wins recognition
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has awarded Pakistan’s Hajj Mission an international excellence award for the second consecutive year, recognising its performance in managing pilgrimage operations and services.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, the award was presented to Abdul Wahab Soomro, Director General of the Pakistan Hajj Mission, during a ceremony hosted by Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah.
Heads of Hajj missions and senior officials from multiple countries attended.
The recognition follows Pakistan’s arrangements for nearly 179,000 pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season.
Out of the total, about 119,000 are under the government scheme and around 60,000 through private operators.
Hajj management remains one of the largest annual overseas logistical operations handled by Pakistan.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs said the “Labaytum Excellence Award” was given to Abdul Wahab Soomro in recognition of the mission’s performance, service delivery for pilgrims, and administrative efficiency.
It said the Pakistan Hajj Mission received the distinction for the second consecutive year, reflecting sustained improvements in coordination, accommodation arrangements, transport services, complaint resolution, and on-ground facilitation for pilgrims.
Speaking at the ceremony, Al-Rabiah said arrangements for the 1447H Hajj season had been successful. He praised participating countries for improving services through technology and better management practices.
He also announced that preparations for the 1448H Hajj season had formally begun from 12 Dhul Hijjah 1447H, allowing more time for planning and coordination ahead of next year’s pilgrimage.
Delegates from several countries commended the Pakistan Hajj Mission’s performance and described it as a model for other Hajj missions, according to the ministry statement.
In recent years, Pakistan has introduced measures to improve accommodation, transport, food services, complaint systems, and guidance facilities for pilgrims during Hajj.
