By Iftikhar Mashwani
ISLAMABAD : More than 26,000 Hajj pilgrims will take off from Islamabad Airport under the ‘Route Makkah’ project.This was stated by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Senator Talha Mehmood while addressing a joint Press Conference with Saudi Ambassador in Pakistan Nawaf Saeed Al Maliki,on Thursday.
He said that Sacrificial money will not be given to pilgrims. Current Hajj packages brought below $4,000.
Senator Talha appreciate the efforts of KSA rulers and said that 25 crore Pakistani people are grateful to Saudi King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Ambassador Nawaf Saeed Al Maliki for facilitations of pilgrims.
Minister of Religious Affairs Senator Muhammad Talha Mehmood inaugurated the “Route Makkah” project along with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Saeed Al Maliki at Islamabad International Airport on Thursday.Senior officials of the Secretary Religious Affairs, Civil Aviation Authority, Anti-Narcotics, Airport Security Force and media representatives were also present on this occasion.
The Minister of Religious Affairs told the media that the Saudi immigration and customs procedures for the Hajj pilgrims departing from Islamabad will be completed in Islamabad and thus the Hajj pilgrims will come out of the Saudi airport in a short time and go to their residences by buses.
This year more than 26 thousand Hajj pilgrims will benefit from this facility. Last year this number was 16 thousand.
The religious affairs minister further said that arrangements for the ‘Route Makkah’ project from other Pakistani airports are being reviewed.Efforts will be made to extend this facility to other Pakistani airports next year.
Saudi Deputy Interior Minister has made a very successful visit to Pakistan. This year, two and a half million pilgrims from Pakistan will perform Hajj this year. After four years, the big Hajj is taking place.
The Minister said that his ministry trying all the facilities for pilgrims.According to its resources arrangements have been made to serve the pilgrims.He said no one will be allowed free Hajj.
Hajj assistants are being sent to guide pilgrims to the best of Hajj. Hajj flight operations will begin on May 21.All the first flights will go to Medina. He said that 250 million Pakistani people are with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
Our hearts beat with Mecca and Medina.’I am deeply grateful for the love and support of my brother and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki’
Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Mr. Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki said that “Route Makkah” is a big initiative.
This will provide all facilities under one roof to Pakistani pilgrims.
The Saudi government is ready to provide full service to its guests.’I am grateful for the steps taken by Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif regarding Road to Makkah.He said work on road to Makkah project from Lahore and Karachi will start soon.
