RIYADH: The first batch of Hajj 2022 pilgrims from Pakistan arrived in Madinah on Wednesday through a dedicated “Makkah Route” lounge at Islamabad International Airport.
The Makkah Route Initiative, which is launched in Pakistan this year, 1443, for the second year after 1440, in addition to Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Morocco, is one of the initiatives of the “ Pilgrim Experience Program, which is under the Kingdom Vision 2030.
Pakistani pilgrims were received by the director passports of the Madinah region.
Saudi Arabia has allowed up to 1 million people to join the Hajj this year.
The initiative also includes issuing visas, ensuring pilgrims’ biological characteristics and compliance with health requirements, and codifying and sorting luggage at airports in pilgrims’ home countries.
It seeks to provide visitors to the holy sites with the finest possible services to help them perform their Hajj rituals easily and comfortably.
Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Pakistan Nawaf Al-Malki was reassured of the safe departure of the pilgrims from Islamabad International airport in the presence of the Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Mufti Abdul Shakoor Sardar Khan.
The Pakistani pilgrims were received at the airport by the Director of Passports of the Madinah region, Maj. Gen. Fahd Khalid Al-Otaibi, and representatives from partner entities.
Saudi Arabia has allowed up to 1 million people to join the Hajj this year, inviting pilgrims from foreign countries for the first time after two years of COVID-19 restrictions saw the annual pilgrimage limited to residents of the Kingdom.
Al-Malki said the government of Saudi Arabia, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman was keen to take care of guests of Allah the Almighty.
Pilgrims this year must be under 65 and fully vaccinated against coronavirus.
