MECCA – Around sixty thousand pilgrims converged on Saudi Arabia's Mina valley to begin the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
In wake of the Covid pandemic, no foreign pilgrims have been allowed to perform the Hajj for the second year in a row while the number of Saudi nationals has also been restricted to stem the spread of novel disease.
The pilgrims all covered in two white sheets proceed to Mina as the annual ritual begins today. The ritual to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim, his wife Hager and their noble son Prophet Ismael (May peace be upon all of them) held every year when more than 2.5 million Muslims throng the holy city of Mecca from all across the world.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched Hajj smart card to enhance the digital services and facilitate the journey of pilgrims while performing the rituals of Hajj.
The first smart Hajj card is linked to all the services such as entering the camps using transportation, entering hotels, and paying through ATMs. It also helps guide lost pilgrims, controlling entry to the camps and timing of grouping and transportation. This will be the first time the technology is used to serve pilgrims throughout their journey.
The initiative was launched in the presence of Mecca Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is also the chairman of the Central Hajj Committee, and his deputy Prince Badr bin Sultan.
The project covers an area of 1.6 million square meters and is supported by smart systems for screening and a unified digital gateway that facilitates traffic and reduces the waiting period of people arriving in Makkah during peak times from 45 to seven minutes.
The number of vehicle lanes has been also increased from six to 16, and special lanes have been dedicated to buses, transport vehicles, trucks, and emergency vehicles.
The center includes administrative offices, a mosque, a center for civil defense and another for the Red Crescent Authority, and a building for security and governmental authorities.
Last year, only up to 10,000 Saudi citizens and residents were permitted to perform the annual pilgrimage.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/12-Jun-2021/saudi-arabia-cancels-hajj-for-international-pilgrims-over-covid-19-fears
Pakistani rupee advanced its winning momentum against US dollar, and other currencies in the open market amid strong economic cues.
On Saturday, the US dollar was being quoted at 285.15 for buying and 287.95 for selling.
Euro moves down to 309.9 for buying and 310.5 for selling. British Pound rate stands at 359.4 for buying, and 360.05 for selling.
UAE Dirham AED also moved down to 77.45 whereas the Saudi Riyal drops to 75.82.
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
US Dollar | USD | 285.15 | 287.95 |
Euro | EUR | 309.9 | 310.5 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 359.4 | 360.05 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 77.45 | 77.6 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 75.82 | 75.97 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 187.72 | 188.22 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 759.94 | 767.94 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 209.99 | 210.49 |
China Yuan | CNY | 39.78 | 39.88 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 41.95 | 42.05 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 36.38 | 36.48 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.39 | 3.5 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 1.49 | 1.56 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 926.39 | 935.39 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 60.38 | 60.98 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 173.44 | 175.44 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 26.25 | 26.55 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 742.16 | 750.18 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 78.5 | 79.2 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 212.45 | 212.95 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 27.09 | 27.19 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 325.38 | 325.88 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 8.05 | 8.09 |
The price of gold fell by thousands of rupees as precious metal lost shine despite an upward trend in the international market.
On Saturday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs217,300 and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs186,300.
Meanwhile, single tola of 22 Karat gold costs Rs199,190, 21 karat rate costs Rs190,138 and 18k gold rate is Rs162,975.
Globally, gold prices hover at around $2072, gaining $32 on Saturday.
City | Gold | Silver |
Lahore | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Karachi | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Islamabad | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Peshawar | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Quetta | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Sialkot | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Attock | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Gujranwala | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Jehlum | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Multan | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Bahawalpur | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Gujrat | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Nawabshah | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Chakwal | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Hyderabad | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Nowshehra | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Sargodha | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Faisalabad | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
Mirpur | PKR 217,300 | PKR 2,705 |
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