Islamabad: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has urged the public to rely on credible sources for accurate information and to disregard baseless rumors circulating on social media about pilgrims.
In a statement, Director General of Pakistan Hajj Mission (PHM), Abdul Wahab Soomro has dismissed rumors that pilgrims being left helpless in the Mashair during the Hajj pilgrimage.
Soomro stated that these videos are baseless. Their authenticity could not be verified as the date and year could also not be comfirmed.
He informed that the PHM relies on information provided by the Saudi government, which is later verified by the mission itself.
He added that as of 4:00 PM on June 18, a total of 9 deaths of Pakistanis had occurred in Mashair, with 4 in Mina, 3 in Arafat, and 2 in Muzdalifah.
He acknowledged that the Hajj was challenging due to extreme heat and harsh weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 50°C.
He emphasized that the mission receives reports of deaths and verifies them before taking any action.
He said the Saudi government has set up a system for burials and funeral prayers in Haramin, and arrangements are also made to send the dead body of a pilgrim to Pakistan if the heirs demand it.
