*ISLAMABAD: The Saudi authorities have decided to add Pakistan in itspre-departure immigration facility under the ‘Road to Makkah project’,citing sources.*
The delegation of Saudi officials arrived here to hold talks with Pakistaniofficials, has left after completing the visit, sources said.
Pakistani officials have requested the Saudi authorities for consideringaddition of five Pakistani airports in Road to Makkah project, sources said.
The Saudi officials have selected Islamabad and Karachi airports as pilotproject for the pre-departure immigration facility, sources further said.
According to sources, the Saudi delegation has expressed satisfaction overthe security, customs, immigration, airlines and civil aviationarrangements at Pakistani airports.
The Saudi government will decide about inclusion of other airports ofPakistan in the project, the sources said.
Pakistan has requested for addition of the airports of Lahore, Multan andPeshawar in the project.
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Pakistani pilgrims will now have immigration clearance done in Pakistaniairports and they will not have to pass through immigration and customchecking after landing at airports in Saudi Arabia.
According to sources, the Road to Makkah project will initially applicableonly to the Hajj flights.
The Saudi delegation during its stay in Pakistan called on Federal Ministerfor Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Noorul Haq Qadri and conveyeda message of goodwill of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud.
Under the ‘Road to Makkah’ project, all the immigration requirements of 90per cent Pakistani Hajj pilgrims would be fulfilled in the homeland.
The delegation also held meetings with other stake holders. The projectalso includes other Muslim countries, like Indonesia and Malaysia.
