March 26, 2025 – High-level discussions between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan took place on Wednesday, focusing on enhancing facilities for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and expanding the Road to Makkah project.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, met with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in facilitating Pakistani pilgrims.
Dr. Al-Rabiah extended his congratulations to Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on assuming his ministerial role and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to providing top-tier services for pilgrims from Pakistan. Both ministers explored ways to further improve travel, accommodation, and registration services for Pakistani pilgrims, ensuring a seamless and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage experience.
One of the key topics discussed was the expansion of the Road to Makkah project, which aims to streamline immigration procedures for Pakistani pilgrims before they depart for Saudi Arabia. The initiative, currently operational at Islamabad International Airport, is set to be extended to other major cities in Pakistan. Both sides agreed that expanding this project would significantly reduce congestion and waiting times at Saudi airports, making the pilgrimage journey smoother for thousands of Pakistanis.
Sardar Yousaf expressed gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their dedication to enhancing pilgrimage services. He emphasized that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy deep-rooted historical, religious, and cultural ties, and this collaboration will further strengthen their bond.
Dr. Al-Rabiah reiterated that Saudi Arabia considers it a great honor to serve Pakistani pilgrims and remains committed to addressing any challenges they may face. He assured Sardar Yousaf that Saudi authorities would work on resolving registration issues and implementing new initiatives to improve overall facilities for Hajj and Umrah travelers from Pakistan.
The meeting was also attended by Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdulfattah Mashat, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq, and Director General of Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring an improved pilgrimage experience for all Pakistani travelers to Saudi Arabia.