Pakistan Enhances Hajj Facilities through Agreement with Saudi Al-Rajhi Company
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has successfully finalized an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Rajhi company to enhance the facilities for its Hajj pilgrims. This new arrangement includes upgrading tents and amenities at major pilgrimage locations, with the goal of improving services for those traveling under the Government Hajj Scheme, as confirmed by an official on Thursday.
The partnership with Al-Rajhi, a licensed Tawafa company that assists international pilgrims in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, represents a significant advancement in the quality of services typically provided to private tour groups. This initiative aligns with Pakistan’s commitment to enhance the experience for the approximately 89,000 pilgrims expected to undertake Hajj this year under the state-managed program.
In total, around 114,698 Pakistanis are anticipated to perform Hajj starting June 4, with 25,698 traveling through private operators. As of Thursday, 84,638 government-sponsored pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia via 329 flights, alongside 17,959 private pilgrims who have also reached the kingdom. The pre-Hajj flight operations are set to conclude on May 31.
Muhammad Umer Butt, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, stated in a phone interview from Makkah, “An agreement has been established with the Tawafa company Al-Rajhi for Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, and all necessary arrangements and facilities at these sacred sites are being finalized for this year’s Hajj.”
He noted that pilgrims participating in the Government Hajj Scheme will now enjoy improved camp facilities. “We have added air conditioners and extra fans to the tents, along with air coolers,” he explained, emphasizing the introduction of modern sofa-cum-beds with partitions to minimize the risk of infections spread through close contact.
Further enhancements include luggage racks, sliding doors replacing traditional tarpaulin sheets, gypsum board tent walls, artificial grass carpeting in the corridors, protective sunshades, fans along pathways, and designated areas for shoe storage.
For the first time, Pakistani medical teams will be present at each camp to offer assistance in addition to the medical services provided by Saudi authorities. “Every camp will have a first aid team, ensuring that doctors and medical staff are available around the clock,” Butt mentioned.
He also highlighted the close collaboration between Pakistan’s Hajj mission and Saudi officials, including the Maktab system, to implement a transportation strategy across the holy sites, known as Mashair, to facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims. “Saudi officials have provided specific guidelines to protect pilgrims from extreme weather conditions, and our mission is committed to ensuring these guidelines are communicated effectively to all Pakistani pilgrims,” Butt added.
A dedicated complaint management cell has been established to promptly address any issues raised by pilgrims. “We received a total of 2,241 complaints regarding lost luggage, and we successfully resolved 2,209 of these cases, returning the luggage to the respective pilgrims,” Butt reported. “In Madinah, 636 bags were mishandled, and we managed to recover and return 630 of them,” he continued. He also mentioned that approximately two dozen pilgrims who had lost contact with their groups in Makkah and Madinah were successfully found and reunited.
More than 39,000 Pakistani pilgrims completed their visit to Riyad al-Jannah, the sacred area in Masjid al-Nabawi believed to be a Paradise garden, primarily using the official Nusuk app in Madinah. For those unfamiliar with the digital system, special permits were arranged for 14,000 individuals. Butt commended Saudi Arabia’s advanced digital infrastructure and logistical planning for Hajj, noting its significant role in enhancing the pilgrimage experience for visitors worldwide.
