RIYADH – Saudi Arabia has agreed to increase the quota of Pakistani pilgrims for next year’s Hajj by five thousand.
Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri, who is in the kingdom on an official tour, and his Saudi counterpart have signed the Hajj agreement 2019.
Under the agreement, over 184,210 Pakistanis will perform the sacred religious ceremony of Hajj next year following the increase of country’s Hajj quota as compared to this year’s pilgrimage, said spokesman of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.
It may be mentioned here that this year, 179,210 Pakistanis had performed Hajj.
Both friendly countries also decided to include Pakistani Hujjaj in Road to Makkah project in phases. Initially, thirty-five thousand pilgrims of Sindh will benefit from this scheme.
The process of verification and immigration of the pilgrims will be held at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. Pakistani Hujjaj, as per the deal, will be issued e-visas.
The Saudi authorities informed the Pakistani officials that decision relating to abolishing of two thousand Riyal fee will be made after holding consultation with Khadim-e-Haramayn al-Sharifayn.
They also assured to consider further raise in the Hajj quota for Pakistan according to the latest census held earlier this year.
Pir Noor ul Haq Qadri expressed gratification to the Saudi authorities for implementing suggestions extended by Pakistan.
