According to an official announcement from Islamabad, more than 40,000 people from Pakistan have traveled to Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The Saudi government has allowed Pakistan to have its usual Hajj quota and has removed the upper age limit. This means that around 80,000 Pakistani pilgrims can participate through the government program, while others can go through private tour operators.
To transport the pilgrims, a total of 158 flights have been arranged. Currently, there are 27,686 Pakistanis in Madinah and 13,095 in Makkah. The journey for the first group of pilgrims began on May 22 from Madinah, where they stayed for a week before heading to Makkah. Furthermore, more than 1,000 pilgrims facilitated by private operators have also arrived in Saudi Arabia.
To ensure compliance with standards and regulations, the ministry of religious affairs has conducted evaluations of 12 Hajj groups. They have also set up a helpline to address any concerns or questions from the pilgrims. The Hajj pilgrimage is a religious duty for physically and financially capable adult Muslims and takes place in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
