This year, around 68,800 Pakistani pilgrims are gearing up to embark on the sacred journey of Hajj, announced Dr. Ataur Rehman, the Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs. Under the government’s regular scheme, these pilgrims will experience a spiritually enriching pilgrimage to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
In an interview with PTV News, Dr. Ataur Rehman highlighted the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony’s efforts to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for Pakistani pilgrims.
The operation will see 34,300 pilgrims destined for Madinah and 34,500 for Jeddah, continuing their journey to Makkah. The pre-Hajj flight operation is scheduled to conclude on June 9.
During the Mashair days, Pakistani pilgrims will be provided with train station tickets for travel from Mina to Arafat, Muzdalifa, and Jamarat, ensuring convenience and ease of transportation.
This year, 63% of pilgrims will be stationed in Old Mina and 37% in New Mina, strategically located along main routes and train stations. Accommodations in Madinah have been arranged to house 100% of pilgrims in Markazia.
To enhance the pilgrim experience, the ministry has introduced new initiatives, including a ‘Short Haj’ program spanning 20 to 25 days, accommodating 16,000 pilgrims. While this program offers a shorter duration, the expenses may be slightly higher due to airline costs.
The government has also launched the HajApp to streamline communication and provide essential information to pilgrims. Additionally, pre-installed SIM cards will be provided to address communication needs.
To facilitate identification and convenience, standardized bags of the same size and color will be distributed to pilgrims.
The selection of Haj Assistants (Moavineen) has been made through a transparent and merit-based process, with an accompanying app to monitor their performance.
Improvements have been made to the weekly food menu in Makkah, focusing on protein-rich meals to offer a diverse and nutritious diet to the pilgrims.
In addition to pilgrims under the regular scheme, those participating in private schemes will benefit from the ‘Road to Makkah’ facility at Karachi and Islamabad airports, providing further convenience and assistance.
As the Hajj season approaches, the Ministry of Religious Affairs remains committed to ensuring a memorable and spiritually fulfilling journey for all Pakistani pilgrims.
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