Makkah, Saudi Arabia , June 16, 2025
In a grand tribute ceremony held in Makkah today, the Pakistan Hajj Mission honored the exceptional performance of its welfare staff, whose relentless efforts contributed to the seamless execution of the 2025 Hajj. Federal Secretary for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dr. Syed Ata Ur Rehman, presided over the event, stressed the importance of continuous improvement and early preparation for future Hajj operations.
A Thousand-Mile Journey Begins with a Single Step” : Dr. Syed Ata Ur Rehman
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ata Rehman underscored the need for meticulous planning and early training for both staff and pilgrims. “We will prepare our staff, especially Nazims, well in advance for the upcoming Hajj,” he declared. “Similarly, from the moment pilgrims enroll, their training will commence to ensure they are fully prepared for the sacred journey.”
Highlighting the ministry’s commitment to excellence, Dr.Ata ur Rehman announced stricter criteria for selecting SDS, welfare Staff, and medical personnel.”Specialization will be our focus,” he stated. “Candidates must demonstrate thorough knowledge of Mina and Arafat’s geography. Transparency and equity will be paramount in all appointments.”
He credited the success of Hajj 2025 to Frictionless coordination between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Office of Pilgrim Affairs Pakistan (OPAP). “Our teams were fully integrated, working in perfect harmony. Moving forward, we will enhance this coordination and teamwork to deliver an even better Hajj experience.”
Despite the ongoing conclusion of this year’s Hajj operations, Dr. Rehman reaffirmed the mission’s dedication to serving pilgrims until the last Pakistani Hajji departs.
DG Hajj Commends Staff, Pledges Enhanced Facilities
Director General (DG) Hajj, Abdul Wahab Somroo, lauded the welfare staff for their tireless efforts, attributing this year’s success to their dedication. “Because of your hard work, Hajj 2025 was a triumph,” he said. “But we will not rest on our laurels,next year, we aim to do even better.”
Somroo outlined plans to improve pilgrim accommodations, particularly for elderly Hujjaj. “We will prioritize ground-floor rooms for senior pilgrims in Makkah,Madinah, Mina, and Arafat,” he assured. “Every year, we introduce new measures to enrich the Hajj experience, and we will continue to innovate.”
“A Divine Honor to Serve Pilgrims” – Dr. Mirza Ali Mehsood
Dr. Mirza Ali Mehsood, Chief Coordinator of Makkah, reflected on the spiritual significance of facilitating pilgrims. “Allah has entrusted us with this noble duty, and there is immense divine reward in serving His guests,” he stated. He further commended Federal Secretary Dr. Syed Ata Ur Rehman for spearheading the implementation of the National Testing Service (NTS) system in staff selection, which ensures transparency, fairness, and merit-based appointments.
Regarding this year’s Nazim system, Dr. Mehsood remarked, “It is a highly commendable initiative that should be further strengthened.” He added, “The pre-Hajj operations were a success, and we will now apply the same dedication and diligence to post-Hajj services to ensure seamless facilitation for Pakistani pilgrims.”
Zulfiqar Khan, Coordinator Makkah, expressed deep appreciation for the Hajj 2025 team. “My heartfelt gratitude goes to every member who worked day and night to ensure the pilgrims’ comfort and safety,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by key officials, including Sajjad Haider Yaldarm (Coordinator F&C), Azizullah Khan (Director Makkah), and other senior representatives from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
As the event concluded, the message was clear: Pakistan’s Hajj Mission is committed to raising the bar further. With early training, stricter staff selection, and enhanced facilities, the ministry aims to make the next Hajj even more successful,proving that the journey of a thousand miles truly begins with a single step.
