Pakistani Pilgrims Begin Hajj Journey with Improved Logistics
ISLAMABAD: Around 38,150 Pakistani pilgrims under the government’s Hajj scheme have arrived in Makkah and Madinah ahead of this year’s annual Islamic pilgrimage, as reported by presstonight
This year, a total of 179,210 Pakistanis are expected to perform Hajj under both government and private schemes. To facilitate this, Pakistan initiated a month-long pre-Hajj flight operation on May 9, with the pilgrimage expected to take place from June 14-19.
By Sunday, 38,150 pilgrims, which is about 54.35% of the total, had reached Madinah and Makkah, according to the Pakistan Hajj Mission. Starting May 17, the mission began transporting pilgrims from Madinah to Makkah via bus caravans, following their eight-day stay in Madinah. Over 23,464 pilgrims have already made this journey using a real-time GPS tracking system, a first-time innovation to ensure a smooth and timely trip.
“This innovative approach aims to ensure a seamless and timely journey for the pilgrims,” said Shahid Ur Rehman Marth, in charge of the Madinah Departure Cell.
Meanwhile, pilgrims from around the world, including Pakistan, have visited the sacred cave of Hira at the mountain of Al-Noor in Makkah, where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) received the first verses of the Holy Qur’an.
For the first time, pilgrims from Karachi are utilizing the Makkah Route Initiative, launched in 2019. This initiative completes immigration procedures in Pakistan, allowing pilgrims to bypass lengthy checks upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, making their entry smoother and faster.
