ISLAMABAD: Saudi government has accepted Pakistan’s request to initiate the Road-to-Makkah project from Lahore and Karachi airports in order to provide maximum facilities to pilgrims, senior officials of the Ministry of Haj informed a senate committee here on Tuesday.

The committee appreciated the initiative and also suggested starting the Road-to-Makkah project from Peshawar and Quetta as well. At present, the project is only from the Islamabad airport.

The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony held its meeting at Parliament House. Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri presided over the meeting.

During the meeting, a thorough discussion took place concerning the reduction of Haj group organisers from 905 to 46, following directives from the Saudi government relayed through the Ministry of Haj.

The officials said that a letter in this regard has already been dispatched to the Saudi Arab government, in light of the recommendation of the committee, urging a deferral of this reduction for the current year and a gradual reduction in subsequent years, adding that the ministry eagerly awaits a response from the Saudi government.

Representatives from the Haj Organizers Association of Pakistan were also present during the meeting. They emphasized the necessity for representatives of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to engage in a constructive dialogue with the Pakistani Director General Haj and officials of the Saudi Ministry of Haj to address their concerns.

The committee was informed that altering the Saudi Ministry of Haj’s decision to reduce the number of organisers seemed improbable.

Consequently, the committee chairman stressed the importance of being fully prepared for the upcoming Haj arrangements.

The committee chairman emphasised the need for the continuation of efforts by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to address the issue. He suggested that Saudi authorities should be conveyed Pakistan’s concerns and should be requested to review their decision.

After detailed deliberations, it was decided that another letter would be sent to the Saudi Ministry of Religious Affairs and also suggested the caretaker minister for religious affairs to engage with his Saudi counterpart to further advocate for Pakistan’s position. The committee sought a progress report on the matter in 15 days.

Those who attended the meeting included senators Molvi Faiz Mohammad, Professor Sajid Mir, Naseebullah Bazai, Hafiz Abdul Karim, Haji Hidayatullah and Gurdeep Singh.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2023