KARACHI – Saudi Arabia’s ‘Road to Makkah’ project now covers key airport in Pakistan’s largest city Karachi as Hajj operation is set to start from next month.
In a positive development, Hajj pilgrims departing from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport will undergo smooth immigration procedures in Pakistan instead of waiting in queues in the Kingdom.
Under this initiative, dedicated counters are being set up at Karachi Jinnah International Airport, and once arrangements are finalized, pilgrims will no longer need to undergo immigration procedures at Jeddah and Madina airports.
Pakistan’s leading airport was added to Road to Makkah project on the orders of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, reports said.
For this year, Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) allocated space for two dedicated counters for Hajj pilgrims departing from the port city.
The ‘Road to Makkah’ initiative is part of Kingdom’s initiative aiming to streamline Hajj programs.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs had expressed intentions to expand the ‘Road to Makkah’ initiative to airports in Lahore and Karachi, which is currently available only at Islamabad International Airport.
For 2024, the Asian nation holds around 180,000 seats allocated, including those for private Hajj operators. To attract applicants, the government allowed those who had performed Hajj in the last 5 years to apply. The authorities have introduced a Short Hajj package for the pilgrims, and the Sponsorship Scheme is also valid for this year.
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