JEDDAH: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has pledged to provide the best possible facilities for Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
Director General Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro made the remarks at a welcoming ceremony for 651 Pakistani pilgrims from Madinah to Makkah on Monday, state media reported.
He stated that all pilgrims have been successfully accommodated in the Markaziyah area of Madinah. He assured that the same level of care, coordination, and facilitation will be maintained during their stay in Makkah.
Abdul Wahab Soomro highlighted several operational improvements, noting that the entire Hajj system has been thoroughly reviewed—from arrival procedures and transportation within cities to accommodation and the transfer of pilgrims to the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.
Enhancements have been introduced at each stage to ensure a smoother experience.
One of the key developments this year is in Mina, where pilgrims are now being provided with advance information about their tent numbers, designated corridors, and bed allocations before their arrival.
He added that all facilities in Mina are fully prepared, including air-conditioned tents, sofa-cum-beds, and essential amenities.
In Makkah, the Hajj mission has expanded its accommodation network by adding new housing sectors while continuing to use highly rated buildings from the previous year.
Overall, Abdul Wahab Soomro emphasised that pilgrims can expect improved residential standards throughout their journey.
The Nusuk card distribution system and pre-arrival data management process have also been upgraded.
Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj. Of these, approximately 118,000 places have been assigned to the government scheme, while the remainder will be managed by private tour operators.
Pakistan’s pre-Hajj flight operations are expected to continue uninterrupted until May 21.
This year’s Hajj is expected to take place between May 25 and May 30, subject to the sighting of the moon, which determines the start of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah.
Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is obligatory for Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it at least once in their lifetime.
