ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia on Monday arrived in Islamabad to review Road to ‘Road to Makkah’ project, ARY News reported.
The Saudi Arabia’s delegation called on Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Noorul Haq Qadri and conveyed a message of goodwill of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud.
Secretary Religious Affairs Mushtaq Ahmed said that the government was provided comprehensive training to Pakistani pilgrims regarding Saudi regulations and Hajj rites.
A 552-member medical team will be sent to Saudi Arabia to facilitate pilgrims during Hajj, he added.
Ahmed said that three airlines including national flag-carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will conduct flight operations during Hajj.
The government is making efforts to get 200 buildings in Makkah and Markazia in Medina for providing accommodations to the pilgrims, he detailed.
The secretary added that the government was finalising agreements with 12 companies in Makkah and 13 in Medina for food and meal supplies.
Under the ‘Road to Makkah’ project, all the immigration requirements of 90 per cent Pakistani Hajj pilgrims would be fulfilled in the homeland.
The delegation will also hold meetings with other stake holders and will finalize the project. The project also includes other Muslim countries, like Indonesia and Malaysia.
It is pertinent to mention here that Prime Minister Imran Khan had asked the Saudi Arabia to include Pakistan into the ‘Road to Makkah’ project.
Read More: Saudi officials due on Monday to review ‘Road to Makkah’ arrangements
It is pertinent to mention here that a 14-member delegation from Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry was due in Islamabad on Monday to review arrangements related to ‘Road to Makkah’ project.
The project was initiated to assist Hajj pilgrims wherein all immigration requirements will be fulfilled at the airport of origin.
At present, the facility was only available at Karachi airport where pilgrims go through the immigration and customs checking once and then they would not have to pass through the same process after landing at airports in Saudi Arabia.
