Saudi Arabia has asked the Pakistani government not to sign agreements for the arrangement of food, shelter and travel for Haj pilgrims from the country.

A letter written by Saudi minister Dr Muhammad Saleh bin Taher Benten to the Pakistani government asks it to stop its Ministry of Religious Affairs from signing any such agreements until the "direction of Covid-19 is clear".

The letter added that the Saudi Arabia authorities are closely monitoring the situation and would make the government aware of any progress in this regard.