PM Imran to seek Road-to-Makkah facility for all Pakistani pilgrims

Orders aide to forward proposals within a month for their finalisation

ISLAMABAD: Thanking Saudi Arabia for introducing Road-to-Makkah project for Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said he would request the kingdom to extend the facility for all the Pakistani Hajj pilgrims in the future.

According to a statement issued by the PM’s Office, Imran attended a briefing on the Hajj operations given by his Adviser, Muhammad Shahzad Arbab. Arbab had been specially tasked by the prime minister to oversee the Hajj operations.

This year, the Road-to-Makkah facility allowed some Pakistani Hajj pilgrims to undergo pre-departure immigration at the Islamabad Airport, easing procedures for them before landing in Saudi Arabia.

Arbab apprised the prime minister of the arrangements made to facilitate the pilgrims before, during and after the Hajj, the statement said. The PM was informed that around 22,000 Hajj pilgrims were provided Road-to-Makkah facility this year.

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

Out of the total quota of 200,000 —123,316 were allocated for government and the rest of 76,684 for the private sector, the adviser informed the PM.

The government set up two hospitals, 11 dispensaries, and 14 small-scale dispensaries, where the pilgrims were provided quality healthcare. The premier was further informed that around 112,600 pilgrims were provided accommodation in central Madina.

The meeting was informed that the pilgrims were refunded their arrears varying from Rs23,000-Rs67,000 prior to their departure.

The adviser 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 and disabled persons.

PM Imran 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 adviser also put forward various proposals to improve the government’s Hajj policy.

Approving the proposals in principle, the PM directed Arbab to table those before the federal cabinet within a month for their finalisation. Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri, religious affairs secretary, foreign secretary, and other senior officers also attended the briefing.

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)