Saudi Arabia Welcomes First Group of Pakistani Pilgrims for Hajj 2024: Saudi Arabia officially welcomed the first contingent of Pakistani Hajj pilgrims on Tuesday, marking the beginning of this year’s pilgrimage season. The 380-member group, arriving at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina, received traditional Saudi hospitality including rose garlands and dates as part of the “Guest of God” welcome program.
“This year’s Hajj features significant upgrades,” announced Saudi Hajj Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, highlighting new smart bracelets for pilgrims containing medical records and GPS tracking. Pakistani officials confirmed over 179,000 citizens will perform Hajj through both government and private schemes, with special arrangements for elderly pilgrims including electric wheelchair services along the Masjid al-Haram circumambulation areas.
The arrival comes amid strengthened Saudi-Pakistan religious ties, with both nations collaborating on:
• 24/7 multilingual helplines for pilgrims
• Expanded hospital facilities in Mina
• Streamlined visa processing through the Makkah Route Initiative
• Climate-controlled tents equipped with cooling systems
Source: raialkhalij + aljazeera