RIYADH: Pakistani Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain has expressed his deepest appreciation to Saudi Arabia for the exceptional services and facilities provided to Pakistani pilgrims who will be performing Hajj pilgrimage this year.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain’s remarks came in a statement delivered in Madinah, where the minister is currently visiting to oversee Hajj arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The Pakistani minister particularly praised the Saudi leadership for launching the Route to Makkah initiative at Karachi International Airport, mirroring the program already established at Islamabad International Airport.
The minister said he was confident the initiative would be extended to Lahore Airport in the coming year.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, of whom 63,805 will perform the pilgrimage under the government scheme while the rest will use private tour operators.
Pakistani pilgrims have been arriving in Madinah since May 9 when pre-Hajj flight operations were launched. Over 20,000 Pakistani pilgrims have so far arrived in Madinah under the government scheme.
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