ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs, Muhammad Talha Mehmood, and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, in a landmark development, inaugurated the ‘Road to Makkah’ project at the Islamabad International Airport on Thursday.
Addressing a news conference, Minister Talha Mehmood said “Road to Makkah” project aimed at streamlining the immigration and customs procedures for the intending pilgrims departing from Islamabad, enabling them to speedily embark on their spiritual journey.
Road to Makkah’ Project to Facilitate Pilgrims from Islamabad Airport
Top officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Anti-Narcotics, Civil Aviation Authority, and Airport Security Force attended the inauguration ceremony in Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs said that the step would expedite the processing of pilgrims at the Saudi Arabia airport to reduce wait times, permitting them to proceed directly to their buses upon arrival.
He said that more than 26,000 pilgrims would benefit from this facility in the current year. The minister further emphasized the government’s promise to expand the ‘Road to Makkah’ project to other airports in the country, saying that it would be extended to Lahore and Karachi in the upcoming year.
He said that the recent trip of the Saudi Deputy Interior Minister to Pakistan had been instrumental in strengthening bilateral cooperation between Islamabad and Riyadh.
The minister affirmed that careful arrangements had also been made to ensure a smooth experience for 180,000 Pakistanis who would perform the Hajj this year. He added Hajj flight operations were scheduled to start on May 21, with the initial flights bound for the holy city of Medina.
He also conveyed the gratitude of 250 million Pakistani people towards Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, highlighting the deep-rooted connection between the Pakistani and the holy cities of Makkah and Madina.
Expressing his gratitude for the ‘Road to Makkah’ project, Saudi envoy Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki emphasized its importance in offering a consolidated range of services to Pakistani pilgrims.
The Ambassador conveyed the Saudi government’s resolve to provide comprehensive assistance and a seamless experience to all pilgrims.
He extended his gratitude to Pakistan’s Prime Minister for his efforts in advancing the ‘Road to Makkah’ project, saying that work on the project from Lahore and Karachi would also commence soon. The envoy vowed to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims at other airports in the next years.
He added the ‘Road to Makkah’ project represented an important measure forward in enhancing the Hajj experience for Pakistani pilgrims, restructuring procedures, and guaranteeing well-organized services. With the support of the government of Saudi Arabia, this effort aimed at upholding the sanctity and reverence of the pilgrimage, fostering closer relations between the peoples of Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he further maintained.
