.JEDDAH: May 21, 2024 : Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Chaudhry Salik Hussain met the ethnic media community members at the Directorate General of Hajj Mission, Consulate General of Pakistan, Jeddah here today. During the interaction, the Minister expressed satisfaction on the overall Hajj arrangements made by the government of Pakistan for its pilgrims in the holy cities of Makkah Mukarramah and Madina Munawwarah.
The Minister informed that for the first time in the history of Pakistani Hajj, all the accommodation of the Pakistani pilgrims in Madina Munawwarah were secured within the ‘markaziah’ region near the Prophet’s mosque. He said despite spiraling costs due to inflation and devaluation, this year’s Hajj will be cheaper than last year’s Hajj. He further said that for the first time, all the government pilgrims will be transported through train in the holy Mashair during the Hajj rites. Minister Salik Hussain said that he personally visited catering services and food arrangements and during interaction with Pilgrims, found the arrangements satisfactory.
During the interaction, Additional Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dr. Syed Ata ur Rehman informed that the Ministry is increasing its focus on the use of digital technology to facilitate and guide pilgrims and for the first time, have launched a Hajj App to facilitate pilgrims’ services. On his part, Director General Hajj, Mr. Abdul Wahab Soomro said that Hajj arrangements is a process of continuous improvement and utmost effort are being made to facilitate our pilgrims.
Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, who has the additional portfolio of Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis also discussed the various issues related to the welfare of the Overseas Pakistanis and the need for improvement of human resources development for overseas employment.
