Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, has announced that the vaccination of intending Hajj pilgrims will begin next week, with centers set up in major cities including Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur.
Speaking at Bait-ul-Hujjaj in Karachi, the minister said the training process for pilgrims is nearly complete, aimed at educating them about the rituals of Hajj, legal requirements, and the use of Nusuk—a digital platform introduced by Saudi Arabia.
He confirmed that over 110,000 Pakistanis will perform Hajj this year, with 89,000 traveling under the government scheme and the rest through private operators. Around 21,000 pilgrims will depart from Karachi, which, along with Islamabad, is part of the Road to Makkah program allowing smoother immigration procedures.
Efforts are also underway to expand this facility to Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar. The minister highlighted arrangements such as accommodation near the holy sites, air-conditioned tents, and 24/7 transport to ensure maximum comfort for the pilgrims.
On private tour operators, he revealed that several failed to meet Saudi guidelines, causing issues for many. He called for strict action against those responsible and urged pilgrims to pray for Pakistan’s peace and prosperity.
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