Over 41,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims arrive in Ƶ via 170 flights

In this handout photo, taken and released by the Saudi Press Agency, Ƶ’s Islamic Affairs Ministry officials receive Pakistani pilgrims at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on May 30, 2024. (SPA)
Short Url
  • Pakistan is using a mobile app, toll-free helplines and WhatsApp numbers to address pilgrims’ complaints
  • Nearly 280 doctors, medical staff are helping pilgrims at two central hospitals and a dozen dispensaries

ISLAMABAD: More than 41,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims have arrived in Ƶ on 170 flights since the government started transporting people aspiring to perform the annual pilgrimage earlier this month, said a statement released by the religious affairs ministry on Thursday.
This year, the Pakistani Hajj Mission in the kingdom expects to host 70,105 people under the government scheme and more than 80,000 facilitated by private companies
“As of today, 41,477 government Hajj pilgrims have arrived in Ƶ on 170 flights,” the ministry said in its statement. “In the next ten days, an additional 28,628 government Hajj pilgrims will reach Makkah.”
It informed that more than 10,500 pilgrims had already arrived in the kingdom under the private Hajj scheme, adding that all pilgrims that first went to Madinah would reach Makkah by June 1.
“The Pak Hajj mobile app, two toll-free helplines, and four WhatsApp numbers are being used to address the complaints of Hajj pilgrims,” the ministry said.
“282 doctors and medical staff are providing medical facilities through two central hospitals and a dozen dispensaries,” it added.
It also said 454 food-related, 1,123 residential and 264 transport complaints had been resolved by the mission in the last 20 days.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime, if they are financially and physically able.
Pakistan began its Hajj flight operation on May 9, which will continue till June 9.
This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14 till June 19.