Pakistan Hajj officials praise Saudi Arabia’s efforts to keep pilgrims safe with Nusk Cards, cooling measures
ISLAMABAD: Discussing preparations for the upcoming annual Hajj pilgrimage, the head of Pakistan’s Hajj mission in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday praised the Kingdom for organising distribution of special identity cards to pilgrims and ensuring functional air-conditioning systems at all locations amid scorching heat.
The Saudi Arabian government has taken several steps in recent years to increase convenience for pilgrims and make their spiritual journey more comfortable, including the introduction of Nusk Cards in both physical and digital formats that contain each pilgrim’s details, including their identity and pilgrimage registration details.
The cards are mandatory for all pilgrims to ease access to holy sites and movement within Mecca, as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to streamline hajj procedures and ensure security by distinguishing registered pilgrims from unauthorized individuals.
“Saudi Arabia is committed to providing all possible services with maximum comfort and facilities to reduce inconvenience to pilgrims,” Hajj Secretary General Abdul Wahab Soomro told Arab News in a telephone interview from Makkah.
He stressed that the Corridor to Makkah initiative will greatly benefit Pakistani pilgrims travelling from Karachi and Islamabad, allowing them to complete immigration formalities in their home countries while also reducing waiting times at Saudi Arabian airports.
“To facilitate the pilgrimage experience for people from all over the world, Saudi authorities have taken measures such as conducting the Hajj legally with Nusk Qad, implementing cooling measures such as misting fans and developing shaded areas in addition to providing air-conditioned tents for pilgrims in Mashayya,” Soomro said, referring to the general area in which Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat are located and where the pilgrimage rites are performed.
“These other services included access to free health care through hospitals and clinics, setting up first aid stations in Mashire and providing guidance and support through information centres and volunteer staff,” he continued.
Hajj officials noted that transforming the pilgrimage experience through corporate-style service providers has also helped reduce costs for people and improve the quality of services.
Moreover, he noted that areas in Mina are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, prompting Hajj missions and private organisations to complete their contracts much ahead of schedule in order to secure their preferred locations.
Pakistan’s capacity for Hajj pilgrims this year is 179,210, of which around 70,000 will be made under a government scheme and the rest will use private tour operators.
More than 85,000 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia, of which 55,284 have arrived under a government scheme and over 30,000 through private operators.
For pilgrims in Pakistan, Soomro said the country’s Hajj Mission provides various facilities including accommodation, transport, food and medical services.
“Facilities for Pakistani pilgrims in the Kingdom include 100 per cent accommodation in Madinat Markazia. [central]”There is one hospital and nine clinics in Makkah, one hospital and three clinics in Medina operating 24 hours a day, 18 ambulances, welfare staff at the airport, Haram entry points, bus stations and Mashayya, and dedicated staff at the reception desks of each building to quickly respond to pilgrims’ concerns,” he added.
Officials said around 154 buildings have been rented for accommodation for pilgrims in Mecca.
“In Mina, spaces have been reserved in Zones 2 and 4,” he added. “Arrangements include tents equipped with amenities such as chilled water, sofa mattresses, air coolers and air conditioners, while welfare staff are also operating in Masha’il for the convenience of pilgrims.”
Soomro said for hassle-free and luxurious transportation, 239 buses have been arranged this year and the shuttle service will be available round the clock.
“Government scheme pilgrims will be provided with 100 per cent rail service to Mashire, while private scheme pilgrims will enjoy bus facilities during the Mashire period,” he added.
Top Hajj officials said complaints and feedback are being managed through designated channels such as the Pak Hajj app, toll-free numbers, WhatsApp and manual visits.
“The authorities have deployed specialized teams at the call centre to quickly resolve these complaints,” he added.
