Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said on Tuesday that this year, the Saudi government hosted over 115,000 Pakistani pilgrims, including 88,300 under government sponsorship, with unprecedented facilities.
Addressing a post-Hajj news conference in Makkah on Tuesday, he said that this historic hospitality was made possible through the cooperation of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Yousaf announced that the Saudi government had hosted over 115,000 Pakistani pilgrims, including 88,300 under government sponsorship. He highlighted that Pakistan’s Hajj mission was awarded the Excellence Award by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for outstanding arrangements, securing the top position among the seven missions recognized.
For the first time, pilgrims enjoyed exceptional amenities during the Mashair days, such as air-conditioned tents in Mina equipped with gypsum board partitions, sofas, beds, and overhead shelves. Meals were abundant, with three served daily, along with snack boxes, juices, ice cream, fresh fruits, and cold water.
Additional cooling facilities were installed in the Arafat tents, complemented by grass lawns and shaded walkways. A staggering 73% of pilgrims utilized the Mashair train service, while the remaining 27% traveled in air-conditioned buses. An impressive “Mini Move” operation used 1,140 buses to transport 88,300 pilgrims efficiently to Mina over a 16-hour period.
In terms of accommodation, 56% of pilgrims were housed in the old Mina and 44% in the new Mina. The government also devised a contingency plan with PIA to ensure timely arrivals despite flight disruptions caused by regional conflicts.
He informed that 186 safe and comfortable buildings were hired in Makkah for pilgrims, offering free family accommodation where possible while in Madinah, 100% of pilgrims were accommodated in three and five-star hotels in close proximity to Masjid al-Nabawi.
On the food arrangements, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said 22 catering companies were engaged in Makkah and 13 in Madinah after a transparent process.
Yousaf noted that the package cost for Pakistani pilgrims was more economical compared to other regional countries, yet offered superior amenities. In Madinah, all pilgrims stayed in three- and five-star hotels near Masjid al-Nabawi, and 100% were facilitated for the Riyadh al-Jannah visit.
To cater to culinary needs, 22 catering firms in Makkah and 13 in Madinah were selected through a rigorous process. Pakistani chefs and cooks were employed to prepare meals as per the pilgrims” tastes. The newly introduced “Nazim Scheme” assigned coordinators to groups of 188 pilgrims to ensure seamless management.
Medical needs were also prioritized, with 400 specialists, including doctors and paramedics, providing healthcare services. Sardar Muhammad Yunus expressed his gratitude towards the Pakistani pilgrims for adhering to the guidelines and teachings during the sacred rites of Hajj. This year’s arrangements have set a new benchmark in enhancing the spiritual journey for pilgrims.