MAKKAH: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Sunday arrived here after reviewing Hajj arrangements made by the Pakistan Hajj Mission in Madinah for Pakistani pilgrims.
He is scheduled to perform Umrah and visit the Pakistan Hajj Mission here to inspect the overall ongoing Hajj operation.
According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the minister will also visit Saudi authorities, catering companies and the residences of the Hujjaj.
The spokesperson added that so far, 22,696 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims have arrived in Madinah through 93 flights.
With the assistance of Saudi authorities, he said more than 11,000 pilgrims have completed their visit to Riazul Jannah.
Around 34,316 Pakistanis will reach Madinah by May 24 through 146 flights. From May 24 to June 09, as many as 114 flights will be operating to airlift 34,422 Pakistanis from major cities to Jeddah.
This year, 179,210 Pakistanis will perform Hajj, out of which 89,605 each will be arriving in the sacred places of Madinah al-Munawwarah and Makkah al Mukarramah under the government and private schemes.
Earlier in the day during an interview with PTV news channel, the Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sunday assured that no compromise will be made on provision of best possible facilities of food, accommodation, cleanliness, transport and healthcare to Pakistani pilgrims during this year’s hajj.
“This year’s Hajj would be exemplary for Pakistani pilgrims, offering facilities that were not available in the past”, he said.
He mentioned that accommodations, meals, and transportation, along with all basic necessities, had been standardized.
Minister said that the strict monitoring system would also be adopted and effective round the clock.
“Apart from the food flavor, food cleanliness and safety are also essential to keep in mind while serving the hajjis. Hence, our monitoring will encompass food preparation until the distribution processes,” he remarked.
An online app has been launched to train pilgrims from Pakistan to Hajj e Baitullah and provide them guidance for every step, he said.
