Door of Kaaba opened for President Alvi to offer prayers

MECCA: President Arif Alvi on Wednesday performed Umrah and the doors of the Great Mosque (Kaaba) were especially opened for him on this occasion.

According to details, the president went inside the Kaaba and offered prayers near the Bab-e-Tauba as the door was exclusively opened for Alvi.

President Dr. Arif Alvi had traveled to Mecca following his meeting with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz during his visit to the Kingdom.

Acting Ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia Zeeshan Ahmed and Pakistan’s Counsel General in Jeddah were also present during the meeting.

Separately, Minister for Religious Affairs Noor ul Haq Qadri met President Dr Arif Alvi in Madina Munawara and briefed him about the on-going talks with Saudi Arabian authorities relating to Hajj agreements. The president welcomed additional 5,000 quota for Pakistani pilgrims granted by the Saudi Arabian government.

Pakistani and Saudi Arabian officials held another round of talks in Madina Munawwara to finalize an agreement about providing more facilities to Pakistani pilgrims in the forthcoming Hajj season.

This should be noted that few days ago, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed an agreement to increase quota of Pakistani pilgrims for next year’s Hajj by 5,000.

Under the arrangement, more than 184, 000 pilgrims will perform Hajj from Pakistan next year.