logo
Pakistan vows more facilities for elderly pilgrims in ‘even better' Hajj 2026

Pakistan vows more facilities for elderly pilgrims in ‘even better' Hajj 2026

Arab News17-06-2025
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Director General Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro this week vowed that the government would try to ensure next year's pilgrimage is 'even better' for pilgrims, promising more facilities for the elderly ones.
This year's Hajj took place from June 4 to June 9, drawing millions of pilgrims to the holy cities in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan sent over 115,000 pilgrims under both the government and private schemes.
Speaking at a ceremony held to acknowledge the services of the Pakistani welfare staff during Hajj in Makkah, Soomro said the government introduces new measures every Hajj for its pilgrims and would continue to do so.
'In the next Hajj, we will try to make it even better,' Soomro said on Monday. 'We will try to ensure that aged pilgrims, for example, are not allocated a room above the first floor.'
The Pakistani official said the government would also try to ensure that elderly pilgrims are provided accommodations close to the Mashair, or holy sites in Makkah, for their convenience.
'So, these small things that we are adding every year are enriching the overall experience of the pilgrim,' Soomro said.
Dr. Syed Ata ur Rehman, Pakistan's secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, also spoke at the event. He reminded authorities that the post-Hajj flight operation will continue until the last Pakistani pilgrim and welfare staff return to the country.
'Therefore, the remaining part of the operation should be carried out with the same diligence, attention and caution so that the glory of this success does not diminish,' Rehman told participants.
Pakistan began its post-Hajj flight operation with the arrival of the Pakistan International Airline flight PK-732 in Islamabad on June 11, carrying 307 pilgrims. The country is expected to conclude the operation on July 10.
Over 11,400 pilgrims, including around 3,000 from Madinah, have returned to Pakistan so far, as per figures provided by Pakistan's religious affairs minister.
The government has announced it has begun preparations for Hajj 2026 as it has received the Saudi Hajj policy and timeline for next year's pilgrimage.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Saudi delivery volumes surge to 101m in Q2 amid logistics push
Saudi delivery volumes surge to 101m in Q2 amid logistics push

Arab News

timea day ago

  • Arab News

Saudi delivery volumes surge to 101m in Q2 amid logistics push

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's delivery sector processed more than 101 million orders in the second quarter of 2025, driven by surging e-commerce demand and ongoing investments in logistics infrastructure, official data showed. According to the latest report from the Transport General Authority, Riyadh accounted for 45.04 percent of the total delivery volume, followed by Makkah at 21.17 percent and the Eastern Province with 15.87 percent. Saudi Arabia's delivery and rail sector expansion aligns closely with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub by 2030. Key NTLS goals include increasing the sector's gross domestic product contribution to 10 percent, expanding rail networks to 8,080 km, boosting port throughput to 40 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units annually, and enhancing air cargo capacity beyond 4.5 million tonnes. Other regions contributed smaller shares to the total delivery volume in the second quarter, including Al Madinah at 4.65 percent, Asir at 3.56 percent, and Al Qassim at 2.89 percent. Northern and less populated areas recorded modest volumes, with Al Baha at 0.21 percent, Northern Borders at 0.54 percent, Najran at 0.66 percent, and Al Jouf at 0.77 percent. This growth in delivery activity coincides with broader momentum in Saudi Arabia's transport and logistics infrastructure. In the first half of 2025, Saudi Arabia Railways recorded over 7.9 million passengers across 21,205 passenger train trips, an 8 percent increase from the previous year. The rail network also supported the 1446 Hajj season, transporting over 4.3 million pilgrims via the Haramain High-Speed Railway and nearly 5.1 million pilgrims through the Mashaer Train network. On the freight side, SAR moved more than 14.9 million tonnes of cargo during the same period, marking a 13 percent year-on-year increase. These logistics gains were reinforced by Saudi Arabia's active participation in key industry events and strategic partnerships with local and international firms. SAR's involvement in major exhibitions and forums, alongside collaborations with companies such as STC, Lucid, Turkish Airlines, and SDAIA, underscores the Kingdom's push to elevate transport capabilities and digital integration. Additionally, SAR's recognition through ISO certifications and national quality awards reflects the growing emphasis on service excellence and governance in the sector. Supported by regulatory reforms, digital transformation, and infrastructure investment, the National Transport and Logistics Strategy aims to leverage Saudi Arabia's strategic location to enhance multimodal connectivity and position the Kingdom among the world's top ten in the Global Logistics Performance Index.

Flash Floods Kill 3 Tourists and Leave 15 Missing in Northern Pakistan
Flash Floods Kill 3 Tourists and Leave 15 Missing in Northern Pakistan

Asharq Al-Awsat

timea day ago

  • Asharq Al-Awsat

Flash Floods Kill 3 Tourists and Leave 15 Missing in Northern Pakistan

Flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains swept away several vehicles carrying tourists in northern Pakistan, killing at least three people and leaving 15 others missing, officials said on Tuesday. Pakistani rescue officials say the above-normal monsoon rains since June 26 have killed at least 225 people and injured more than 500 across the country. Experts say climate change is driving an increase in extreme weather events in the region. A cloudburst caused floods and landslides on Monday, stranding more than 200 local tourists after a key highway near the northern Chilas district was blocked, said Faizullah Faraq, a government spokesperson in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Army helicopters were used in the evacuation, which included women and children, he said. Several vehicles had been buried under the rubble of landslides and rescuers are using heavy machinery to find the missing tourists and residents, Faraq said. Three bodies have been recovered. The National Disaster Management Authority issued an updated flood days before, warning against travel to northern areas due to potential landslides and blocked roads. Earlier this month, authorities warned they cannot rule out a repeat of extreme weather like the 2022 floods that submerged a third of the country and killed 1,737 people.

Saudi Railways transports 8 million passengers, 15 million tons of freight in H1 2025 performance
Saudi Railways transports 8 million passengers, 15 million tons of freight in H1 2025 performance

Saudi Gazette

time2 days ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Saudi Railways transports 8 million passengers, 15 million tons of freight in H1 2025 performance

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) announced record operational results for the first half of 2025, transporting 7.93 million passengers across over 21,000 trips on its North, East, and Haramain High-Speed train networks — an 8% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The strong performance was bolstered by exceptional service during the Hajj season, which saw 1.2 million pilgrims transported via the Haramain line and 1.8 million via the Mashair Metro, totaling over 2,100 Hajj-related train journeys. On the freight side, SAR moved 14.93 million tons of minerals and goods — up 13% year-on-year — helping remove over 700,000 truck trips from the Kingdom's roads. This shift resulted in fuel savings exceeding 72 million liters and a reduction of 190,000 tons in carbon emissions, supporting Saudi Arabia's environmental sustainability goals and logistics efficiency targets. SAR CEO Dr. Bashar Al-Malik said the figures reflect the company's commitment to providing sustainable, efficient transport solutions in alignment with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. Beyond operations, SAR continues to deliver long-term economic and environmental impact. Its local content initiative, part of the 'Asasat' program, is on track to surpass 60% by the end of the year, supporting national industries and creating quality job opportunities for Saudi talent. Al-Malik also emphasized SAR's vital role in advancing the Saudi Green Initiative by reducing emissions, lowering reliance on conventional trucking, and offering cleaner alternatives that enhance quality of life in cities across the Kingdom.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store