KARACHI:
Pakistani pilgrims departing from Karachi and Islamabad for Hajj this year will once again benefit from the “Road to Makkah” initiative, which streamlines immigration procedures before departure.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued a letter to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) director general, instructing officials to ensure all necessary arrangements for Hajj operations at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi and Islamabad International Airport.
According to a letter from the Royal Saudi Embassy to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, immigration services will once again be provided at Karachi and Islamabad airports under the Road to Makkah initiative. The pilgrims traveling from these cities will complete their immigration procedures in Pakistan rather than upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.
The CAA has been directed to ensure proper arrangements for the initiative, including allocating designated space for Saudi immigration staff and providing all necessary facilities. As a result, pilgrims traveling from Islamabad and Karachi will not need to go through immigration upon landing at Jeddah or Madinah airports, as their processing will already be completed in Pakistan.
The Road to Makkah project aims to facilitate a smoother and more convenient journey for Pakistani pilgrims, reducing wait times and ensuring efficient immigration procedures before departure.
