ISLAMABAD – Saudi Arabia increased quota of Pakistani pilgrims for nextyear’s Hajj by 5,000, according to a spokesman of Ministry of ReligiousAffairs. Reportedly an agreement was signed in this regard by Minister ofReligious Affairs Pir Noor ul Haq Qadri and his Saudi Arabian counterpart.Under the arrangement, more than 184, 000 pilgrims will perform Hajj fromPakistan next year.
It was also decided that Pakistani pilgrims would be included in ‘Road toMakkah’ project in phases and initially, 35,000 pilgrims from Sindhprovince would benefit from this scheme. Verification and immigrationprocess of the pilgrims would then be conducted at Karachi airport andPakistani pilgrims would also be awarded e-visas.
During the meeting of officials from both countries, the Pakistaniofficials were informed that decision relating to abolishing of 2,000 riyalfee will be made after holding consultation with Khadim-e-Haramaynal-Sharifayn.
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Moreover, the Saudi Arabian authorities assured that they would beconsidering a further increase in Hajj quota. Pir Noor ul Haq Qadriexpressed gratification to the Saudi Arabian authorities for implementingrecommendations proposed by the Pakistani authorities.
