Islamabad, April 27, 2025: A 45-member Saudi delegation arrived in Pakistan on Sunday to assess preparations for the ‘Road to Makkah’ initiative, a project designed to streamline the Hajj journey for Pakistani pilgrims.
Officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs welcomed the delegation at Islamabad International Airport, one of the key hubs where the project will be operational.
Under the ‘Road to Makkah’ initiative, Pakistani pilgrims will complete immigration procedures at home, allowing them to bypass lengthy processing upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. The program aims to enhance the pilgrim experience and reduce congestion at Saudi airports during the busy Hajj season.
This year, approximately 50,500 Pakistani pilgrims are expected to benefit from the project. Around 28,000 will depart via Islamabad International Airport, while another 21,000 will fly out from Karachi International Airport, according to ministry officials.
To accommodate the influx, dedicated immigration counters are being established at both airports. Officials confirmed that 100 special Hajj flights will operate from Islamabad and 80 from Karachi under the initiative.
Launched in 2019, the ‘Road to Makkah’ project is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to modernize and simplify the Hajj process for pilgrims from select countries, offering a more seamless and dignified experience for millions of worshippers.
