Pilgrims to complete Saudi immigration in Lahore

More than 30,000 Hajj pilgrims departing from Lahore this year will travel under the Road to Makkah initiative.

Under the programme, immigration procedures for Saudi Arabia are completed at the departure airport in Pakistan.

This allows pilgrims to avoid long waiting times upon arrival in Saudi Arabia and proceed directly to their accommodation in Makkah or Madinah.

According to religious affairs ministry officials, luggage checked in at the airport in Lahore is delivered directly to pilgrims at their residences in Saudi Arabia, eliminating the need for baggage collection after arrival.

The officials said a feature of the initiative is the deployment of Saudi immigration staff at selected Pakistani airports in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. These officials, trained in Arabic and familiar with Hajj operations, assist pilgrims throughout the process.

Pilgrims receive Saudi entry stamps on their passports in Pakistan, removing the requirement for further immigration or customs clearance upon arrival in Jeddah or Madinah.

Upon landing, pilgrims are transported directly to their designated accommodations without delay, avoiding queues and congestion at Saudi airports.

The officials said the programme is being gradually expanded to additional cities in view of the increasing number of pilgrims.

Initially launched in Islamabad, the facility was later extended to Karachi and has now been implemented in Lahore.

Authorities added that dedicated Saudi teams at each participating airport ensure guidance and smooth travel for pilgrims.