Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Pakistan sets up Crisis Management Unit for pilgrims in Iran

Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Following the recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Pakistan has taken steps to ensure the safety of its citizens, particularly pilgrims currently in Iran. Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stated that the government is actively working to protect Pakistani pilgrims. A Crisis Management Unit has been established at the Ministry of Foreign … Read more

Pakistan sets up 24/7 helpline for Hajj flight information

Pakistan launches helpline for Hajj pilgrims amid air travel disruption

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has established a dedicated helpline to assist Hajj pilgrims with updated information regarding their flight schedules on the directive of Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf. According to the ministry’s spokesperson, pilgrims can call the helpline at 051-9216980 to obtain real-time updates and support related to their Hajj … Read more

DG Hajj reviews arrangements made for pilgrims in Makkah

DG Hajj

MAKKAH: Director General (DG) Hajj, Abdul Wahab Soomro is leading comprehensive preparations for the upcoming Hajj season in Makkah, with arrangements reaching their final stages ahead of the arrival of pilgrims. Accompanied by Makkah Coordinator Zulfiqar Khan, Director Hajj Makkah Azizullah Khan, and other officials, he conducted an inspection visit to residential buildings designated for … Read more

Federal govt announces final Hajj expanses for pilgrims

Saudi Arabia to open Itikaf registration for two holy mosques on March 5

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs on Tuesday announces final expanses of the Long duration and short duration Hajj package for pilgrims.

According to the Spokesman of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the final expanses of the Long Hajj package has been fixed at 1.075 million and the short Hajj package will be Rs 1.1 million.

Spokesman Religious Affairs said that the third installment of Hajj liabilities will be received from 1st to 10th February, with limited number of seats left in the government Hajj scheme.

According to the spokesperson, the  of new applications will be received  based on the first come, but the short package pilgrimage booking has been completed and only the booking of the Long Hajj package will be booking on vacant seats.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs said that the booking of private pilgrims will continue till January 31.

This year, the government has introduced several improvements for pilgrims, including air-conditioned accommodations in Mina, replacing the traditional coolers.

The tents in Mina will also feature gypsum boards, offering better comfort, while sofa beds will replace traditional mattresses. Additionally, shelf facilities will be added to the Hajj package.

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No negligence to be tolerated in preparations of Hajj 2025: PM

PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reviewed preparations for Hajj 2025, directing that no negligence in preparations will be tolerated.

“Pilgrims are the guests of Allah Almighty, therefore no negligence will be accepted in terms of services and assistance for them,” the prime minister stressed.

Chaired a meeting to review preparations for Hajj 2025 here, the prime minister directed to ensure all possible facilities and assistance to the Hujjaj (pilgrims) during the upcoming Hajj.

He instructed to prepare a comprehensive briefing with respect to the preparation of Hajj 2025 and present it in coming days.

He also directed to present a detailed briefing on the selection criteria of Moavineen Hajj (Hajj assistants), their responsibilities and other arrangements.

He said the best possible training facility should be provided to the pilgrims, besides ensuring selection of capable officers having good repute for Hajj duty.

He also ordered to take special care of residence, travel and other facilities for the pilgrims. “Merit and transparency must be ensured in deployment of the Moavineen.”

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema. Chaudhry Salik Hussain and other relevant top officials.

The meeting was briefed in detail about progress on Hajj Fund which was in final stages.

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Religious Affairs Ministry Introduces ‘Pak Hajj’ App for Pilgrims

Hajj application deadline extended to December 10

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has launched the “Pak Hajj” app to support and guide pilgrims for Hajj 2025. Available for both Android and iPhone, the app provides applicants with up-to-date information at every step of their journey. The app includes details about Hajj training schedules, such as dates, times, and locations. It also features … Read more

Pakistan issues visas to Indian Hindu pilgrims for Shadani Darbar

Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued 87 visas to Indian Hindu yatrees (pilgrims) for their visit to Pakistan to participate in the 316th birth anniversary celebrations of Shiv Avtari Stguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, at Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi, Sindh from 24 November to 04 December.

On the occasion, Charge d’ Affairs, Saad Ahmad Warraich wished the pilgrims a rewarding and fulfilling journey.

He further said that Pakistan remained committed to preserving sacred religious places as well as providing necessary facilitation to the visiting pilgrims.

“The issuance of visas is covered under the framework of Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974,” it was added.

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Govt to collect Hajj fees in three installments

Hajj

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to receive Hajj  package fees  from intending pilgrims in three installments.

The good news for the pilgrims who wish to go to Hajj Baitullah through the government scheme is that it has been decided to introduce a scheme for receiving the Hajj package in installments in the Hajj Policy.

According to Ministry of Religious Affairs sources, Hajj package fees will be collected in three installments instead of one lump sum. Initially Rs 200,000 will be collected along with Hajj request.

After getting the name in the Hajj balloting,  it will be mandatory to pay another Rs 400,000 , while the remaining amount will be received in the second week of February, however, people suffering from various serious diseases will not be able to go for Hajj.

Ministry of Religious Affairs will receive Hajj applications for the government scheme under the new Hajj policy in mid-November.

Under the government scheme, 89,605 pilgrims will go for Hajj, 5,000 of them will go under the sponsorship scheme and the rest will go under the regular scheme.

Minister of Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain will formally announce the Hajj policy next week.

A health policy was prepared for Pakistani Hajj pilgrims according to the conditions of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Saudi Arabia, according to which people undergoing dialysis will be banned from going to Hajj this year.

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MoFA establishes Crisis Management Unit to facilitate repatriation of pilgrims’ bodies

MoFA

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday established a Crisis Management Unit to facilitate the repatriation of the Pakistani pilgrims’ bodies who lost their lives in a bus accident in Yazd city of Iran.

The Foreign Office spokesperson, in a statement, expressed condolences and sympathies to the families of the deceased Pakistani pilgrims and said that on the instructions of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the Consul of Pakistan in Zahidan had been tasked with the responsibility of reaching the site of the accident and ascertaining the situation on the ground.

“They will also coordinate with local authorities to provide medical relief to the injured and arrange repatriation of dead bodies to Pakistan, most of whom are residents of the Sindh province,” the spokesperson said.

Moreover, Ambassador of Pakistan in Tehran and Consul in Zahidan are also in contact with the Iranian authorities in Tehran and Zahidan to expedite the recovery and repatriation of the dead bodies and facilitate medical treatment of the injured.

Earlier, Chairman Senate, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani expressed deep grief over the death of Pakistani pilgrims in a bus accident that took place in Iran.

In a condolence message to the families of the deceased, he said that he was deeply saddened to hear about the tragic incident.

He prayed to Allah Almighty for peace for the departed souls, early recovery of the injured, and strength for the bereaved families to bear the loss.

Deputy Chairman Senate, Syedaal Khan Nasar also expressed his grief and sorrow over the incident.

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35 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims die of heatwave in KSA

pilgrims

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has confirmed that 35 Pakistanis died due to heat wave during Hajj. Director General of Hajj Mission of Pakistan, Abdul Wahab Soomro, the temperature during the Hajj was recorded at 50 degrees, making it a difficult Hajj. He said that 4 Pakistanis died in Mina, 3 in Arafat and … Read more

PM Kakar directs for provision of best facilities to Hujjaj

PM Kakar

Chairing a meeting with regard to Ministry of Religious Affairs. He observed that for performance of important religious ritual of Hajj. Prime Minister Kakar was apprised of the performance of ministry. ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar directed that best and inexpensive facilities should be ensured for the pilgrims without compromising on Hajj arrangements. Chairing … Read more

Pakistan allocates 25% special quota for pilgrims depositing dues in US dollars

Pakistan allocates
  • These pilgrims would be exempted from the balloting.
  • 22,400 pilgrims would benefit from the Sponsorship Scheme.
  • Ministry had increased the Hajj quota for private operators.

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Friday decided to allocate a 25 percent special quota in the government Hajj scheme for the pilgrims who will deposit dues in US dollars.

The ministry also decided that the intending pilgrims, depositing dues in dollars, would be exempted from the balloting under the new Hajj policy, official sources told APP on Friday.

They said about 22,400 pilgrims would benefit from the ‘Sponsorship Scheme’ being introduced by the ministry in the wake of the current foreign exchange reserves in the country.

The Hajj expenses could also be submitted through foreign remittances in dollars, the sources added.

They said the Ministry of Finance had indicated that it would not be able to arrange $2 billion for the Hajj in view of the forex liquidity problem.

The sources said the religious ministry had increased the Hajj quota for private operators from 40 percent to 50 percent, which might be further raised in the wake of a persistent foreign exchange liquidity crunch.

They said the ministry would charge Rs1.1 million from each pilgrim under the government scheme, but the Hajj expenses might rise to Rs1.3 million in case of further depreciation of the rupee.

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Pakistani pilgrims visits shrine of Nizamuddin in New Delhi

NEW DELHI: A group of 147 Pakistani zaireen visited the shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (RA) in New Delhi. The Pakistani pilgrims are visiting New Delhi from 7-13 November to participate in the 719th annual Urs of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (RA). The group is being led Mr Muqeet Ahsen, an official of the Ministry of … Read more

Jewish pilgrims back in Tunisia after Covid absence

Hundreds of Jewish worshippers came to Tunisia’s oldest synagogue on Wednesday, renewing an annual pilgrimage that had been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic for the past two years. Pilgrims passed through airport-style scanners and passed a heavy, armed police guard to enter the whitewashed Ghriba synagogue on the southern Tunisian resort island … Read more

Elephant splashes and rolls in the pool receive an exclusive mud bath

elephant

The elephant can be seen splashing and rolling in a mud pool, revelling in the opportunity to play in the scorching heat. Akila, the temple elephant in Trichy city, is given a mud bath to help the mammal ward off insect bites and maintain a normal body temperature with the arrival of summer. Akila, 17, … Read more

A Saudi citizen has collected 100,000 artifacts in a private museum

Salem al-Hajuri, a Saudi citizen, has collected more than 100,000 artefacts for 30 years and set up a private museum in the Yanbu Commissioner’s home. This commissioner is in the Madinah region.

Talking to Al Arabiya Net, Salem Al-Hajuri said that by setting up the Rizvi Heritage Museum, he had obtained a permit from the Department of Tourism and National Heritage 14 years ago. Now my private museum has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in Yanbu.

“I found this hobby very expensive,” al-Hajuri said. In addition to money, I had to put in a lot of effort and time. Glad to have achieved the goal and managed to build a large private museum.

Al-Hajuri said that gold and silver ornaments are also decorated here – the tools used by goldsmiths in jewellery making are also kept – in addition to guns, swords, daggers and equipment used in ancient wars in ancient weapons. Also saved-

Samples of food and drink, public clothing, historical books, newspapers and manuscripts are also preserved. Samples of tailors, photographers, florists, carpenters, booksellers, herbalists and jewellers are also on display.

The museum will also feature sound instruments by public singers – an example of an ancient public caf – silver and gold coins.

Pilgrims passing through Yanbu used different types of currencies. There are also examples of these.

The Saudi citizen said that there is also a cultural library in which a selection of rare books and copies of Saudi Arabian newspapers have also been preserved.

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Makkah Grand Mosque gets ready to receive Umrah pilgrims

Umrah pilgrimage

MAKKAH: The Technical and Service Authority at the Grand Mosque in Makkah has intensified its preparations amid Covid avoidance for the Umrah season which allowed recently for the green-list countries.  In this regard sterilization and perfuming processes of the Grand Mosque and its outdoor parks are going on round-the-clock to prevent the spread of the … Read more

Pilgrims do not need to test, isolate after Hajj

Hajj 2021

JEDDAH: The pilgrims returning home from Hajj do not need to test for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) or isolate upon arrival, The Arab News quoted Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Health for Preventive Affairs Dr Abdullah Asiri, as saying. “Some returnees from Hajj this year are asking about the need for [the] Covid-19 tests or … Read more

Umrah to resume soon: Saudi official

Saudi Arabia Umrah

KARACHI: Trips of Umrah or the lesser pilgrimage will resume later this month after the current Hajj season ends, The Gulf News quoted Saudi official, as saying. Last October, Saudi Arabia resumed Umrah after a suspension of around seven months due to the global coronavirus pandemic. The Umrah will restart on the 15th of the current Islamic … Read more

Baisakhi Festival: Around Thousand Indian Sikh Pilgrims Reach Pakistan

Baisakhi Festival: Around Thousand Indian Sikh Pilgrims Reach Pakistan

Sikh pilgrims from India arrived in Pakistan to attend the Baisakhi festival. Led by Sardar Gurmeet Singh, around a thousand Sikh pilgrims have reached Lahore via Wagah. Officials of the Abandoned Waqf Property Board (ETPB) and other members of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee welcomed the guests on their arrival in Pakistan. The Sikh … Read more

Hajj 2020: Pilgrims reach Jabal Ar Rahma (Mount of Mercy)

The pilgrims have reached Jabal Ar Rahma (Mount of Mercy) or more known as Mount of Arafat. Jabal Arafat is a small mountain in the Arafat plain around 20 km from the holy Ka’bah. Standing at Arafat is an integral Hajj requirement. On the second day of Hajj (9th Dhul Hijjah) the pilgrims travel here … Read more

Sikh Pilgrims arrives Kartarpur Darbar Sahib to celebrate Nagar Kirtan

Sikh Pilgrims

More than 550 Sikh pilgrims arrived Kartarpur Darbar Sahib on Sunday to celebrate the custom of Nagar Kirtan. It was reported that 585 Sikh pilgrims arrived at Kartarpur Darbar Sahib barefoot to celebrate the custom of Nagar Kirtan. 58,311 pilgrims have visited the darbar from India so far while 9,904 Sikhs from United States (US), … Read more

Coronavirus: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia discussed preventive measures for Hajj

Coronavirus

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia discussed security arrangements for Pilgrims (Hujjaj) amid coronavirus outbreak According to the details, Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs Noor-ul-Haq Qadri had a telephonic discussion with the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mohammad Saleh today (Saturday). Both dignitaries discussed security arrangements for Hajj pilgrims amid coronavirus. The Saudi Minister said … Read more

Coronavirus in Pakistan: Dr. Zafar Mirza confirms 2 more cases

Coronavirus

Federal state minister for health Dr. Zafar Mirza has said that two more cases of Coronavirus have reported in Pakistan, while the first two patients are recovering fast. According to the details,  Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan and Dr. Zafar Mirza held a joint press conference after the Federal Cabinet meeting on … Read more

Saudi government permits to offer Umrah on tourist visas

The Saudi government has opened tourist gates in the country for people all over the world. Obtaining tourist visas has also been made very easy. Along with this, the Saudi government has given the added benefit that foreign Muslims coming to the state for tourism will also be able to receive Umrah on the same … Read more

Saudi ministry announces Umrah season

Saudi Arab announces Umrah season

After the Hajj scheme, Saudi government has announced next Umrah season, from route to Mecca. According to details, The Ministry of Haj and Umrah has completed all arrangements to receive pilgrims in the new Umrah season starting Sept. 1 and expected their number to go up by about 18 percent over the previous season when … Read more

Hajj 2019: Pilgrims set out for Mount Arafat

Hajj 2019 starts

After spending a night of meditation and introspection in the tent city of Mina, the pilgrims headed to Mount Arafat, some 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Makkah as Hajj 2019 starts. According to details, the Hajj 2019 starts as pilgrims will spend the entire day on the Arafat plateau while praying continuously and asking … Read more

Hajj 2019: Thousands of pilgrims continue to stream into Mina

The pilgrims stream into Mina

More than two million Muslims begin the annual hajj on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims continue to stream into Mina, a district of Mecca. Mina sits in a narrow valley surrounded by Rocky Mountains and is the largest tent city in the world. It can accommodate more than two million pilgrims. A total of … Read more