JEDDAH: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have discussed enhancing facilities for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and expanding the Road to Makkah project to other cities in Pakistan.
This was discussed during a meeting between Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, and the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, in Jeddah on Wednesday.
Dr. Al-Rabiah congratulated Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on assuming the portfolio of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to facilitating Pakistani pilgrims, reported Pakistan’s state news agency APP.
During the meeting, both ministers discussed enhancing facilities for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and expanding the Road to Makkah project to other cities in Pakistan.
The Road to Makkah Project is an initiative by the Saudi Government for Pakistani pilgrims to facilitate their Hajj and Umrah journeys. Under this project, the pilgrims clear all the immigration processes within their own country, inaugurated at Karachi and Islamabad airports.
Sardar Yousaf, during the meeting, said, “I extend my gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their unwavering commitment to providing excellent services to the pilgrims.”
He added that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share deep-rooted ties based on a common faith, history, and culture.
Dr. Al-Rabiah emphasised that it is an honour for the Kingdom to serve the large number of Pakistani pilgrims who visit Saudi Arabia each year.
He assured that the Saudi government is fully committed to addressing any challenges faced by Pakistani pilgrims as a priority.
“The Saudi government has introduced several new initiatives to enhance services for pilgrims, and we will extend even greater cooperation to Pakistani pilgrims,” Dr. Al-Rabiah added.
Sardar Yousaf welcomed the special attention given by the Saudi minister to improving facilities for Pakistani pilgrims.
The meeting was also attended by Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdulfattah Mashat, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq, and Director General of Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro.
