Tue, 21-Oct-2025

New travel rules imposed for Umrah pilgrims by Saudi Arabia

55,642 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi General Aviation Authority (GACA) has issued new guidelines affecting Umrah travelers, specifically targeting those traveling on visas after 15th Shawwal. According to the new instructions, pilgrims holding Umrah visas post-15th Shawwal will not be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia, a measure designed to streamline the annual pilgrimage process. A new directive in … Read more

Gates for entry and exit of Umrah pilgrims allocated at Grand Mosque during Ramzan

Gates for entry and exit of Umrah pilgrims allocated at Grand Mosque during Ramzan

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has allocated a number of gates at the Grand Mosque in Makkah to receive pilgrims, coinciding with the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan, which witnesses the peak annual Umrah season. The new arrangements were … Read more

Beggars: FIA tightens screening of outgoing passengers at airports

Beggars:
  • A special letter has been issued to all airports to prevent beggary.
  • 74 passengers were offloaded from airports across country.
  • DG FIA said passports of accused involved in begging will be blocklist.

KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched strict screening of outgoing passengers to control the traveling of accused allegedly involved in begging in abroad.

According to the details, strict screening of passengers is going on under the direction of Director General FIA. A special letter has been issued to all airports to prevent beggary.

DG FIA said that 74 passengers were offloaded from airports across the country. Passengers were offloaded and moved to anti-human trafficking circles.

He said that the passports of the accused involved in begging will be blocklist. The Umrah pilgrims should be allowed to go based on travel history analysis report.

In this regard, DG FIA further said that complete screening and profiling of Umrah pilgrims should be ensured.

He said that checking of passengers’ luggage should be ensured. It should be ensured that Umrah pilgrims have the required amount.

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Watch: Umrah pilgrims pray amid heavy rains in Mecca

heavy rains in Mecca

Dubai: Saudi Arabia experienced a bout of strong easterly winds and severe lightning storms, causing widespread damage across the country. The cities of Mecca and Jeddah, along with other areas, experienced severe weather. A video shared on social media demonstrated how strong the wind was. It was so powerful that it lifted heavy plastic barriers. … Read more

PM thanks KSA leadership for facilitating Pakistani pilgrims

pilgrims
  • He hoped pilgrims would continue to receive special treatment.
  • PM expressed these views during meeting with Minister of Hajj.
  • The Saudi Minister is leading a high-level delegation with ministers.

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar thanked the Saudi leadership for making excellent arrangements for Hujjaj from all over the world during the Hajj season, particularly for the Pakistani pilgrims.

He expressed the hope that the Pakistani Hajj and Umrah pilgrims would continue to receive special treatment from the Saudi side.

The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with Minister of Hajj & Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr. Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al Rabiah who called on him.

PM Kakar expressed satisfaction on the positive trajectory of bilateral relations with the Kingdom and lauded the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, adding that Pakistan would always remain a trusted partner of Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Minister is leading a high-level delegation with members from the Saudi ministries of foreign affairs, interior, civil aviation authority, communication, tourism, etc. The visit is the first by a Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah to Pakistan.

The caretaker prime minister also thanked Saudi Arabia for its serious interest in investment opportunities in Pakistan under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

The Saudi minister thanked the prime minister for the warm hospitality extended to him and members of his delegation.

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Umrah pilgrims: PIA announces big discount  

PIA Umrah pilgrims

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced to provide relief to Umrah pilgrims by offering a substantial reduction in airfares. This move aims to make the journey more affordable for individuals traveling from Faisalabad to the holy cities of Madinah and Jeddah. Previously, the fare for this route was Rs112,000, but now it has been … Read more

Now Umrah pilgrims can use any airport to enter and exit

Umrah pilgrims
  • Umrah pilgrims are now able to arrive and depart Saudi Arabia from any of the country’s international airports.
  • GACA ordered all domestic and foreign airlines operating in the nation.
  • GACA also issued a warning.

Umrah pilgrims are now able to enter and exit Saudi Arabia on regularly scheduled flights from any of the country’s international airports.

The action intends to make Umrah pilgrims from all around the world, including Pakistan, more convenient.

In a circular, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) ordered all domestic and foreign airlines operating in the nation—including private aviation—to make it easier for Umrah pilgrims to enter and exit the country.

According to the circular, disobeying GACA instructions would be a clear breach of the government’s directive.

The GACA also issued a warning, stating that it will pursue legal action against anyone found in violation.

Umrah pilgrims could only arrive at and depart from airports in Jeddah and Madina before to this ruling.

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Tahir Ashrafi says Saudi govt facilitating Hajj, Umrah pilgrims to fullest extent

Tahir Ashrafi

He said the pilgrims were expected to have more facilities this year. “Every Muslim values Saudi Arabia’s government and public services.” He said nation was thankful to PM Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. ISLAMABAD: Tahir Ashrafi, Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Interfaith Harmony and Middle East, on Sunday said the Saudi Arabian government was facilitating the Hajj … Read more

COVID-19 vaccine booster shot mandatory for foreign Umrah pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has made COVID-19 vaccine booster shot mandatory for the pilgrims coming on a tourist visa to perform Umrah and visit the two holy mosques, whose second dose exceeded eight months. A statement shared by Haramain Sharifain, a non-profit organisation which provides updates about the two holy mosques, states, “It is now mandatory to … Read more

Saudi Arabia abolishes 14-day waiting period for Umrah pilgrims

Umrah

Pilgrims, wishing to perform Umrah, are no longer needed to wait for 14 days to book for the ritual, according to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. According to the Arab News, the capacity of the Grand Mosque has significantly been increased for Umrah pilgrims and prayers, and so, the condition is not needed … Read more

Saudi suspends international flight operations over new COVID-19 variant

Saudi

The Government of Saudi Arabia has suspended international flight operations due to the new Coronavirus Variant. According to the details, Saudi Arabia suspended all international passenger flights for one week in response to a new strain of the coronavirus. As a result of the flight suspension, the Umrah of international pilgrims will also be temporarily … Read more

PIA announces Umrah Policy 2020

PIA Umrah

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Tuesday announced the Umrah Policy 2020. According to the PIA spokesperson, an Umrah policy has been announced for Jeddah and Madinah from Pakistan which will remain in force till December 31, 2020. He said that the return fare of economy class from Karachi would be Rs. 73,529 excluding tax and … Read more

Umrah Pilgrimage: Third phase begins from today

Umrah pilgrimage

The third phase of Umrah pilgrimage resumption for Muslims belonging to foreign countries is starting from today (Sunday).

The government of Saudi Arabia has announced fresh measures for the Umrah pilgrimage, which was suspended for six months due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

The barricade placed around the Kaaba and the holy Black Stone will remain in its place and visitors will be prevented from touching them.

Masjid al-Haram will be disinfected 10 times a day, while quarantine rooms have already been established for visitors having symptoms of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has called on Umrah performers to protect themselves and their families by adhering to the preventive measures approved by the authorities of Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, Secretary General, Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen said the OIC congratulates Muslims around the world for the return to Umrah after temporary suspension.

He also called on the Muslims to follow Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health protocols.

Moreover, the pilgrims must carry a PCR medical test certificate clearing them of coronavirus.

The certificate must be issued by a reliable laboratory and must not be more than 72 hours old from the time the sample was taken at the time of departure to Saudi Arabia.

The pilgrims shall have obtained a reservation for the performance of Umrah as well as to the visit of the Two Holy Mosques and prayer at Rawdah Sharif by registering through Eatmarna application, as well as having confirmed return flight reservations in accordance with the approved program for each pilgrim.

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Umrah Pilgrimage Resumes in Saudi Arabia after 7 months closure

Umrah pilgrimage

Umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has been resumed after seven months of closure due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. According to the details, started today, the number of Umrah pilgrims has been capped at 6000, as compared to 2019 when more than 19 million people performed the Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage that can be undertaken … Read more

Saudi Government makes 14 days gap compulsory before booking second Umrah

Saudi Arabia

The Government of Saudi Arabia has made a 14-day gap compulsory before booking another date for Umrah. According to the details, Dr. Amr Al-Maddah, the Chief planning, and strategy officer of the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, said in his recent statement that Pilgrims can perform Umrah twice, but must wait 14 days … Read more

Over 300 Pakistani Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia

Over 300 Pakistani Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia

More than 300 Pakistani Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia and suffer difficulties. Pilgrims, who have been stranded in Saudi Arabia since March 10, have been facing difficulties since flights banned due to the Coronavirus. The pilgrims have appealed to the government of Pakistan and Prime Minister Imran Khan to take emergency measures to bring … Read more