Riyadh, March 26, 2025: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to expand the ‘Road to Makkah’ project to additional cities in Pakistan, aiming to enhance facilities for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The decision came during a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah on Wednesday.
Dr. Al-Rabiah congratulated Sardar Yousaf on assuming office and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to facilitating Pakistani pilgrims. He emphasized that serving pilgrims is a top priority for the Kingdom and assured that all challenges faced by Pakistani Hajj pilgrims would be addressed on a priority basis.
Sardar Yousaf expressed gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued efforts in providing top-quality services to pilgrims. He highlighted the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and religious ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The Pakistani minister also raised concerns regarding registration issues faced by Hajj applicants. In response, Dr. Al-Rabiah assured that necessary measures would be taken to resolve these challenges.
Dr. Al-Rabiah stated that Saudi Arabia has introduced several new initiatives to further enhance the experience of pilgrims and promised increased cooperation with Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdulfattah Mashat, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq, and Director General of Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro.
With the expansion of the ‘Road to Makkah’ project, more Pakistani cities will benefit from streamlined immigration and customs clearance services, ensuring a smoother journey for pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia.Bottom of Form
