PM to request Saudi govt to extend Road-to-Makkah facility to all Pakistani pilgrims in future too

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday said that he would request the Saudi government to extend Road-to-Makkah facility for all Pakistani Hajj pilgrims in future.

In a briefing given to him on the Hajj operations by his Advisor Muhammad Shahzad Arbab, the prime minister thanked the Saudi government for introducing Road-to-Makkah facility to some Hajj pilgrims this year under which they went through pre-departure immigration at Islamabad International Airport easing procedures for them before landing in Saudi Arabia, a PM Office statement said.

Shahzad Arbab had been especially tasked by the prime minister to oversee the Hajj operations who apprised him about the arrangements made to facilitate the pilgrims before, during and after Hajj.

Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Nur-ul-Haq Qadri, secretary religious affairs, Secretary Foreign affairs and other senior officers also attended the briefing.

The prime minister was informed that around 22,000 Hajj pilgrims were provided Road-to-Makkah facility this year, who had to face no immigration-related hassle after landing in Saudi Arabia.

Moreover, the Hajj mission had made arrangements to transport the pilgrims' luggage to their respective hotels.

The meeting was informed that the Government of Pakistan was responsible for the pre- and post Hajj arrangements for the pilgrims of government quota. However, the Hajj, it was up to the Saudi government to facilitate the pilgrims in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalfa.

Shahzad Arbab said that out of total quota of 200,000, the government had allocated 123,316 for government and the rest 76,684 for private sector.

The government had set up two main hospitals, 11 dispensaries and 14 small scale dispensaries where the pilgrims were provided quality healthcare.

The prime minister was apprised that besides extending efficient traveling facility, around 112,600 pilgrims of government quota were provided accommodation in central Madina. The services of the best catering companies were hired to provide quality food to the pilgrims, he added.

It was informed that the pilgrims were refunded their arrears varying from Rs 23,000 to Rs 67,000 even prior to their departure.

The advisor said that for the first time, a temporary Hajj Directorate had been established in Gilgit Baltistan, besides introducing direct Hajj flights from Quetta.

The pilgrims were also provided e-visa facility, besides special transport arrangements for the old age and disabled persons.

The prime minister was also briefed about the difficulties faced by some pilgrims which were conveyed to the Saudi Authorities, which acted against the persons responsible for the negligence.

The advisor also put forward various proposals to improve the government’s Hajj policy, arrangements and facilities for the pilgrims.

While approving the proposals principally, the prime minister directed Shahzad Arbab to table those before the federal cabinet within a month for their finalization.