ISLAMABAD: As the annual Hajj pilgrimage approached, anticipation swirled among Pakistani Muslims, not just for the spiritual journey but also for the newfound convenience promised by the Makkah Route Initiative. Around 65,000 Pakistani pilgrims this year this year would use the Makkah Route Initiative.
This initiative, designed to streamline the immigration process, had been gradually expanding its reach, offering a beacon of hope for thousands embarking on the sacred journey. Unlike previous years, where long immigration queues and bureaucratic hurdles awaited them upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, this innovative program allowed pilgrims to complete their immigration procedures right from their home country.
Last year, the initiative was used by 26,000 pilgrims was available on at Islamabad’s airport since 2019, has now been expanded to Karachi, Pakistan’s most populous city.
This initiative enables pilgrims to complete immigration procedures at their departure country, streamlining entry into Saudi Arabia and reducing wait times. The expansion to Karachi and Islamabad airports will accommodate 65,000 pilgrims this year, with 41,000 under the government’s Hajj scheme and 24,000 through private tour operators.
Of these, 29,500 pilgrims will use the facility from Islamabad, while 35,500 will do so from Karachi. Saudi Arabia has also restored Pakistan’s pre-pandemic Hajj quota and abolished the age limit of 65.
Pakistan’s Hajj operations for 2024 will run from May 9 to June 9 across eight airports, with the pilgrimage expected to occur from June 14-19. This year, 69,000 pilgrims will perform Hajj under the government scheme, including 5,000 through the sponsorship scheme for overseas Pakistanis.
Preparations began early to secure favorable accommodations in Makkah, Madinah, and Mina. Despite global inflation, the Pakistani government has reduced Hajj expenses by Rs100,000 compared to last year, with decreased costs for plane tickets as well.
Additionally, pilgrims can opt for a shorter Hajj duration for an extra fee, with exclusive accommodation options available for those willing to pay more.
