The first contingent of Hajj pilgrims from Pakistan touched down in Medina on Friday, marking the official commencement of the 1447H pilgrimage season from the country. Flight PK-731 from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport arrived in Medina Munawwara carrying 155 faithful, who were accorded a warm and traditional welcome upon arrival.
Director General of Hajj, Abdul Wahab Soomro, alongside senior Saudi and Pakistani officials, personally received the pilgrims at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport. The arrival ceremony featured the showering of flowers, presentation of gifts, and the resonant beats of the duff drum accompanied by traditional Saudi welcome songs, creating a spiritually uplifting atmosphere for the start of their sacred journey.
The pilgrims, who expressed high satisfaction with the arrangements, have been accommodated in the Markaziya area of Medina. To facilitate their worship and mobility, all pilgrims were immediately issued NUSUK cards, Saudi Arabia’s integrated digital platform for Hajj and Umrah services. “All facilities, from our departure in Pakistan to our stay here in Medina, have been exceptionally well-organized,” one pilgrim remarked, commending the efforts of Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Pakistan Hajj Mission.
This arrival coincides with the completion of key preparatory rituals in Mecca. Authorities recently concluded the annual raising of the Kiswah (the embroidered cloth covering the Kaaba) by three meters—a traditional signal of the Hajj season’s commencement. Maintenance work on the Kaaba’s interior and exterior walls was also finalized within 47 hours, alongside beautification of the Maqam-e-Ibrahim.
Saudi authorities have mobilized extensive resources to ensure a smooth pilgrimage. The Kingdom’s General Directorate of Passports has activated immigration counters across all air, land, and sea entry points, employing advanced digital systems to minimize processing times. Specially trained staff will be available around the clock to assist pilgrims, with officials emphasizing seamless coordination among all involved institutions.
With Hajj flights from Indonesia and other nations also commencing, Saudi Arabia’s integrated approach—combining traditional hospitality with modern technology—aims to host one of the world’s largest annual gatherings with efficiency and reverence. Pakistani officials confirmed that similarly coordinated arrangements are in place for all subsequent flights carrying pilgrims from the country.
Source: ARY News