In a significant development, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have officially inked an agreement to implement the “Road to Makkah” initiative, designed to simplify the immigration process for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
The signing took place at the Prime Minister House, with the Deputy Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Nasir Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Dawood, leading the Saudi delegation.
During the ceremony, Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah and the Saudi deputy interior minister signed the agreement, with the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Ambassador in Islamabad Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki as witnesses.
Notable attendees also included Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Senator Talha Mahmood, Federal Minister for Narcotics Control Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
Under the terms of the agreement, Pakistani Hajj and Umrah pilgrims will receive streamlined immigration facilities within Pakistan, exempting them from lengthy processes upon arrival at Saudi airports. Initially, this service will be available at Islamabad International Airport, benefiting around 26,000 pilgrims during the first phase. Furthermore, the Saudi authorities have assured that this facility will later be extended to Karachi and Lahore airports.
In addition to the “Road to Makkah” project, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also signed joint minutes of the meeting, during which they discussed the issuance of Pakistani passports to Burmese Muslims residing in Saudi Arabia. Since 2012, these individuals have faced difficulties as their passports were not renewed, causing legal complications within the Kingdom.
To address this issue, an agreement was reached to issue passports to the Burmese Muslims and their children, improving their legal status in Saudi Arabia.
Both countries have decided to establish a bilateral committee consisting of representatives from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s interior ministry. The committee’s primary objective will be to expedite the issuance of necessary documents to Burmese Muslims, facilitating their legal situation in Saudi Arabia.
To commemorate the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presented a souvenir to the Saudi dignitary, who reciprocated the gesture by presenting a memento to the prime minister.
With the execution of the “Road to Makkah” project and the resolution of passport issuance for Burmese Muslims, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have taken notable steps to enhance cooperation and streamline processes for pilgrims and residents alike. These initiatives demonstrate the commitment of both nations to facilitate religious and cultural practices while strengthening bilateral relations.
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