Islamabad: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Road to Mecca agreement in Islamabad on Wednesday during the visit of the Saudi deputy interior minister.
The initiative aims to streamline the immigration process for Pakistani pilgrims and ensure a smooth journey to the holy city.
Saudi deputy interior minister Dr. Nasser bin Abdul Aziz Al Dawood and Pakistani interior minister Rana Sanaullah signed the agreement on the Road to Mecca project at the Pakistani Prime Minister’s House.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al Malki, and other officials.
During the signing ceremony, Sanaullah said that the Saudi authorities have promised that the number of Pakistani pilgrims who are travelling from Islamabad through Mecca Route Initiative “will be increased from 26,000 to 40,000” and the service would be extended to Lahore and Karachi next year.
Dr. Nasser bin Abdul Aziz Al Dawood said that both sides had meaningful discussions and expressed hope that Pakistan and Saudi bilateral relations will further prosper.
The project
The Road to Mecca project offers a streamlined immigration process for Pakistani Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The introduction of immigration facilities in airports in their home country would eliminate the need for processing at Saudi airports. The pre-clearance system will help fast-track journeys for the pilgrims through “unified electronic paths”.
Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, they would be greeted at the designated lounge and transported to their residences without any delay at the airport.
Pakistan is one of the five countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Morocco, benefitting from the Mecca Route Initiative introduced by Saudi Arabia.
During the initial stage, the service will be introduced at Islamabad International Airport with the aim of easing travel for approximately 26,000 pilgrims.
The Saudi authorities have assured that the service would be expanded to include Karachi and Lahore airports.
This year, around 80,000 Pakistani pilgrims are expected to join Hajj under the government scheme, while over 91,000 will opt for private tour operators.
The commencement of Hajj flights from Pakistan is scheduled for May 21, with the final flight departing on June 21, marking the beginning of the sacred journey for thousands of Pakistani pilgrims.
