Pakistan launches second phase of Hajj training, urges pilgrims to honor Saudi laws

At a Hajj workshop, the federal minister urged pilgrims to respect Saudi laws and act as ambassadors of Pakistan.

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Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Tuesday urged Pakistani Hajj pilgrims to respect Saudi Arabia’s laws and consider themselves as ambassadors of their country during their stay in the Kingdom.

Speaking at a Hajj training workshop in Islamabad, organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Yousaf emphasized the importance of adhering to local regulations.

Pakistan launched the second phase of mandatory training for Hajj pilgrims on Tuesday, following the first phase conducted earlier this year.

"Hajj pilgrims are going as ambassadors of Pakistan. Take care of the laws there," Yousaf told attendees. "Do not do anything that will bring disrespect to your country," he added.

Yousaf praised the Saudi government for its impressive arrangements for pilgrims, referring to the Kingdom as a "brotherly country." He assured that Pakistani officials had reviewed the Hajj arrangements in Saudi Arabia, vowing that pilgrims would not face any unpleasant experiences.

The minister also announced that mandatory vaccinations for Pakistani pilgrims would take place on April 20. As part of the requirements set by the Saudi Ministry of Health, pilgrims must comply with strict vaccination protocols to ensure public safety.

The mandatory vaccines include the meningitis shot, with additional recommendations for the seasonal influenza vaccine. Pilgrims from regions affected by yellow fever and polio are also required to provide immunization certificates.

These precautions are vital to prevent the spread of infectious diseases during the annual pilgrimage, one of the largest gatherings of people in the world.

Yousaf confirmed that around 90,000 Pakistanis are expected to perform Hajj this year under the government scheme.

Saudi Arabia has allocated a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Pakistan, with half of the quota reserved for the government scheme and the other half for private arrangements.