Madinah: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has pledged to provide optimal facilities for Pakistani pilgrims undertaking Hajj in Saudi Arabia. This commitment was reaffirmed by Director General Hajj, Abdul Wahab Soomro, during a welcoming ceremony for 651 pilgrims traveling from Madinah to Makkah.

According to Radio Pakistan, Abdul Wahab Soomro emphasized that all pilgrims were accommodated in the Markaziyah area of Madinah and assured that the same level of care and service would be maintained upon their arrival in Makkah. He detailed the ministry’s efforts to enhance operations, noting a comprehensive review of the Hajj system that spans from the pilgrims’ arrival and intra-city transportation to their accommodation and eventual transfer to the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.

One significant improvement highlighted was the arrangement for Mina, where pilgrims are now informed of their tent numbers, corridors, and bed allocations prior to arrival. Soomro announced that Mina facilities have been fully prepared, complete with air-conditioned tents and sofa-cum-beds, ensuring essential amenities are available.

In Makkah, the Hajj mission has extended its accommodation offerings by incorporating new housing sectors and maintaining previously well-rated buildings from last year. Soomro also mentioned an overall enhancement in residential standards for pilgrims, along with upgrades to the Nusuk card distribution system and pre-arrival data management process.