Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif in a day-long visit to Islamabad principally decided to include Lahore and Karachi in ‘Road to Makkah Project, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Sources claimed that pilgrims from Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi will directly land at the Makkah airport and their luggage will directly be transported to their hotel destinations.  

Once these cities are included in the Road to Makkah project the pilgrims will not undergo custom checking at the Saudi airports.

Source said that cities inclusion agreement will be inked on the eve of the Hajj agreement this year.  

Saudi Arabia’s interior minister was on a day-long visit to Pakistan. Besides holding a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, he also met with Noor ul Haq Qadri.

During the meeting, Umrah and Hajj pilgrims’ visa and immigration issues under COVID-19 standard operating procedures were discussed between the two dignitaries.

Religious Minister Qadri appreciated the Saudi government and interior ministry’s unflinching services for the security of Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.

Meanwhile, an official of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony said it was taking all anticipatory actions for smooth operation of Hajj 2022.

Earlier Hajj Ministry urged the intending pilgrims not to submit their hard-earned money to any private tour operator as long as the Hajj Policy 2022 was not announced by the ministry and also cautioned the tour operators of strict action for collecting money in the wake of Hajj applications.

Reporter Gohar Masood