Pakistan’s Hajj official praises Saudi initiatives for pilgrim safety with Nusuk cards, cooling measures

Pakistan’s Hajj official praises Saudi initiatives for pilgrim safety with Nusuk cards, cooling measures
Pakistani Hajj mission officials work in a call center in Makkah, Saudi Arabia on May 25, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Hajj Mission)
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Updated 05 June 2024
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Pakistan’s Hajj official praises Saudi initiatives for pilgrim safety with Nusuk cards, cooling measures

Pakistan’s Hajj official praises Saudi initiatives for pilgrim safety with Nusuk cards, cooling measures
  • Nusuk cards, available in both physical and digital formats, contain detailed information on every pilgrim
  • The Saudi authorities have also ensured functional cooling system at every location amid extreme heat

ISLAMABAD: The head of Pakistan’s Hajj mission in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday applauded the kingdom for systematically distributing special identification cards among pilgrims and ensuring a functional cooling system at every location amid extreme heat while discussing preparations for the upcoming annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The Saudi government has taken several measures in recent years to facilitate pilgrims and make their spiritual journey more comfortable, including the introduction of Nusuk cards in both physical and digital formats, which contain detailed information about each pilgrim, including their identity and pilgrimage registration details.
These cards are mandatory for all pilgrims to gain access to holy sites and facilitate movement within Makkah, as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to streamline the Hajj process and ensure safety by distinguishing registered pilgrims from unauthorized individuals.
“Saudi Arabia is committed to providing all possible services along with maximum comfort and facilities to pilgrims to reduce any inconvenience,” Director General of Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro told Arab News in a telephone interview from Makkah.
He highlighted the Route to Makkah initiative had greatly benefited Pakistani pilgrims traveling from Karachi and Islamabad, which allows pilgrims to complete the immigration process in their home countries while reducing waiting times at Saudi airports.
“To facilitate the pilgrimage experience for people from across the world, Saudi authorities have taken steps including the enforcement of legitimate Hajj through Nusuk cards, implementation of cooling measures like misting fans and developing shaded areas along with the provision of air-conditioned tents for pilgrims in Mashair,” Soomro said, referring to the general area where Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat are located and where the pilgrimage rituals are performed.
“Along with these other services included accessibility to free medical services through hospitals and clinics, placement of first aid stations in Mashair and provision of guidance and support via information centers and volunteer staff,” he continued.
The Hajj official noted the transformation of the pilgrimage experience by corporate-style service providers had also led to reduced costs for people and improvement in service quality.
Additionally, the first-come-first-served basis zone allocation in Mina, he pointed out, had prompted Hajj missions and private groups to complete their contracts well ahead of time to secure spaces of their choice.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, with around 70,000 people performing the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest will use private tour operators.
Over 85,000 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia, with 55,284 coming under the government scheme and over 30,000 through private operators.
Speaking about Pakistani pilgrims, Soomro said the country’s Hajj mission offered a range of facilities, covering accommodation, transportation, food and medical services.
“In the kingdom, facilities for Pakistani pilgrims include 100 percent accommodation in Madinah Markazia [central], one hospital and nine dispensaries in Makkah, one hospital and three dispensaries in Madinah operating 24/7, 18 ambulances in service, guidance from welfare staff at airports, Haram entry points, bus stations, and Mashair, and dedicated staff at each building’s reception to promptly address pilgrims’ concerns,” he added.
The official said around 154 buildings had been rented for the accommodation of pilgrims in Makkah.
“In Mina, spaces have been reserved in Zones Two and Four,” he added. “Arrangements include tents equipped with amenities like cold water, sofa mattresses, air coolers or air-conditioners and welfare staff also performs duties in Mashair for pilgrim’s facilitation.”
For hassle-free and luxurious transportation, Soomro said 239 buses had been arranged this year, with shuttle service remaining available round the clock.
“A 100 percent train service is provided for Mashair for government scheme pilgrims, while pilgrims under private schemes will utilize bus facilities during Mashair days,” he added.
The top Hajj official said complaints and feedback were managed through designated channels such as the Pak Hajj app, toll-free numbers, WhatsApp and manual visits.
“Authorities promptly resolve these complaints, as a dedicated team also deputed at the call center,” he added.


Pakistan to cancel passports, register cases against deported citizens

Pakistan to cancel passports, register cases against deported citizens
Updated 58 min 18 sec ago
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Pakistan to cancel passports, register cases against deported citizens

Pakistan to cancel passports, register cases against deported citizens
  • Move follows Middle East complaints over Pakistani nationals involved in begging
  • A committee has also been tasked with strengthening passport rules and regulations

KARACHI: Pakistan’s federal government on Saturday decided to take stringent measures against its citizens deported from other countries for illegal activities by canceling their passports and registering criminal charges, in a bid to curb a growing issue that officials say is tarnishing the country’s international image.

The move follows mounting complaints, particularly from Middle Eastern countries, about public begging and undocumented migration involving Pakistani nationals.

The decision was made at a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad.

“It was decided during the meeting that FIRs [First Information Reports] would be registered against deported individuals and their passports would also be canceled,” an official statement released after the meeting said. “The deportees would be placed on the Passport Control List for five years.”

Earlier this year, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said approximately 4,000 beggars had been deported by Saudi Arabia from 2022 until the end of 2024.

“Deportees are causing embarrassment for Pakistan at international level,” Naqvi said. “Thus, no leniency will be shown to them in the future.”

To further tighten passport regulations, the interior ministry also formed a committee led by the interior secretary.

According to the statement, the committee has been tasked with proposing reforms to strengthen the passport issuance process and enforce stricter scrutiny.

Last month, over 100 Pakistanis deported from various European countries arrived in Islamabad, with officials indicating that many had been involved in fraudulent or undocumented migration.

The latest measures build on earlier actions by the interior ministry aimed at discouraging illegal migration and curbing human trafficking.

Naqvi had previously announced plans to block the issuance of new travel documents to deportees and crack down on travel agents implicated in human smuggling.


Pakistan’s army chief hosts dinner for political leadership, praises their ‘foresight’ during India standoff

Pakistan’s army chief hosts dinner for political leadership, praises their ‘foresight’ during India standoff
Updated 24 May 2025
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Pakistan’s army chief hosts dinner for political leadership, praises their ‘foresight’ during India standoff

Pakistan’s army chief hosts dinner for political leadership, praises their ‘foresight’ during India standoff
  • The dinner was attended by President Zardari and Prime Minister Sharif along with other top officials
  • Field Marshal Asim Munir hails the military’s performance and the public’s resilience during the war

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief praised the political leadership’s “strategic foresight” during a four-day military clash with India, according to an official statement on Saturday, as he hosted a dinner in their honor for their role in the conflict.

The event followed a brief but intense conflict earlier this month in which both nuclear-armed neighbors exchanged missile, drone and artillery strikes before agreeing to a US-brokered ceasefire.

As part of a series of honors marking Pakistan’s response, the government promoted the army chief, Syed Asim Munir, to the five-star rank of Field Marshal.

“In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff expressed profound gratitude to the political leadership for their strategic foresight during Marka-e-Haq and lauded the seamless inter-services coordination that ensured operational success in Operation Bunyanum Marsoos,” Pakistan’s military media wing, ISPR, said in a statement.

The dinner brought together top political and military leaders including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and service chiefs, as well as leaders from major political parties.

All the participants hailed the military’s performance and the public’s resilience during what officials described as a defining moment for the nation.

Munir also praised Pakistan’s youth and media for acting as a “steel wall” against what he called a disinformation campaign launched by India.

He further acknowledged the role of Pakistani scientists, engineers and diplomats, calling their efforts “critical” to the national response.

The gathering, according to the ISPR, served as a demonstration of unity and reaffirmed Pakistan’s collective resolve to move forward with “renewed strength and cohesion.”


Indian troops shoot dead Pakistani crossing frontier

Indian troops shoot dead Pakistani crossing frontier
Updated 24 May 2025
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Indian troops shoot dead Pakistani crossing frontier

Indian troops shoot dead Pakistani crossing frontier
  • Incident occurred two weeks after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire following a four-day conflict
  • India’s border force says the man crossed the international border and failed to stop when challenged

AHMEDABAD: Indian border troops shot dead a Pakistani man who they said had crossed the international frontier and did not stop when challenged, the force said Saturday.
The shooting comes two weeks after arch-rivals India and Pakistan agreed a ceasefire after a four-day conflict, in which more than 70 people were killed in missile, drone and artillery fire.
India’s Border Security Force (BSF) said its troops Friday evening had spotted “one suspicious person advancing toward the border fence,” which lies beyond the international frontier in Gujarat state’s Banaskantha district.
“They challenged the intruder, but he continued to advance, prompting them to open fire,” the BSF said in a statement. “The intruder was neutralized on the spot.”
A photograph released by the force showed a dead man with greying hair.
The recent conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals was triggered by an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, the deadliest on civilians in the contested Muslim-majority territory in decades.
New Delhi blamed Islamabad for backing the militants it said carried out the attack, charges that Pakistan denied.


Pakistan PM to begin five-day tour tomorrow of Central Asia, Turkiye and Iran

Pakistan PM to begin five-day tour tomorrow of Central Asia, Turkiye and Iran
Updated 24 May 2025
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Pakistan PM to begin five-day tour tomorrow of Central Asia, Turkiye and Iran

Pakistan PM to begin five-day tour tomorrow of Central Asia, Turkiye and Iran
  • The development comes two weeks after Pakistan and India traded missile, drone and artillery strikes before agreeing to a truce on May 10
  • During the four-day conflict, several friendly nations supported Pakistan’s demand for a probe into an attack that triggered the standoff

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will embark on Sunday on a five-day tour of Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan to hold discussions about matters of regional and international importance, the Pakistani foreign office said, weeks after a military conflict between Pakistan and India.

Pakistan and India this month traded missile, drone and artillery strikes for days, killing 70 people, before agreeing to a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10.

The conflict was triggered by an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22 that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denies complicity.

During the conflict Several friendly nations supported Pakistan’s demand for a credible, international probe into the attack as they urged the nuclear-armed archfoes to exercise restraint.

“The prime minister will have wide-ranging discussions with the leaders of these countries on an entire range of issues covering bilateral relations and matters of regional and international importance,” the Pakistani foreign office said.

“He will also have the opportunity to express the deepest appreciation and acknowledgment for the support extended to Pakistan by the friendly countries during the recent crisis with India.”

Bitter rivals India and Pakistan have fought three wars, including two over the disputed region of Kashmir, since gaining independence from British rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety but rule it in part.

The latest conflict between the two was the deadliest in more than two decades and raised fears that it could spiral into a full-blown war.

During his visit aimed at furthering Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach, Sharif will also attend the International Conference on Glaciers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, according to the Pakistani foreign office.

The conference, to be held on May 29-30, aims to advance global efforts in climate adaptation and resilience, with a specific focus on addressing glacial melting.

Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change, facing numerous impacts like rising temperatures and increased frequency of extreme weather events.

Officials say unusually high temperatures in Pakistan’s northern areas have resulted in rapid melting of glaciers, warning that the prolonged phenomenon could lead to water shortages and threaten lives in the longer run.


Alibaba launches online logistics services for Pakistani exporters

Alibaba launches online logistics services for Pakistani exporters
Updated 24 May 2025
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Alibaba launches online logistics services for Pakistani exporters

Alibaba launches online logistics services for Pakistani exporters
  • Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises have long struggled with optimizing their export processes to participate in global trade
  • Alibaba says it has partnered with leading delivery companies to supporting the export of Pakistani goods to over 200 countries and regions

KARACHI: Alibaba, a Chinese-owned platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce, has launched online logistics services that are tailored to assist Pakistani exporters in optimizing their international trade processes, it said this week.

The explosive growth of cross-border e-commerce has created new opportunities for Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which face significant challenges in optimizing their export processes to participate in global trade. Logistics has been identified as a major obstacle as businesses must find effective and reliable shipping solutions to ensure timely deliveries while minimizing costs and risks, according to the e-commerce giant.

Alibaba has partnered with leading international express delivery companies, such as CPEX, with the goal of supporting the export of Pakistani goods to over 200 countries and regions around the world. The service not only supports fast and reliable international shipping options but also integrates the entire logistics process from packaging and warehousing to delivery, thus helping businesses optimize costs and time.

Through its international express delivery partners, Alibaba will ensure that goods are transported safely and on schedule, while also providing detailed order tracking tools, and customs advisory services. These features will help businesses minimize risks and enhance their competitiveness in the international market.

“Online logistics services are essential for small and medium-sized enterprises in global trade. They not only streamline operations and reduce costs, but also empower businesses to reach global markets with ease,” said Summer Gao, head of global supply chain at Alibaba.

"By leveraging advanced technologies and comprehensive solutions, Alibaba.com helps support Pakistani SMEs in enhancing their competitiveness, ensuring timely deliveries, and responding swiftly to market demands, ultimately fueling their growth and success in the global arena."

Pakistan, which is currently treading a long path to economic recovery, has urged local businesses to increase exports as the government looks to boost trade and investment to revive the over $350 billion South Asian economy.

Launched in 1999, Alibaba serves buyers and suppliers from over 200 countries and regions around the world. It is engaged in services covering various aspects of commerce, including providing businesses with tools that help them reach a global audience for their products and helping buyers discover products, find suppliers and place orders online fast and efficiently.

The e-commerce giant said its logistics services for Pakistani sellers are cost-effective, have enhanced order tracking and control capabilities, and offer a fully digitalized order fulfillment process for packages dispatched to multiple countries and regions.

“The introduction of Alibaba.com's logistics services has greatly accelerated our transaction processes and bolstered customer trust,” said Zulqarnain Baryar, CEO of Clush Industries that specializes in garment production.

"With features such as detailed tracking and optimized shipping routes, these services ensure timely deliveries and improved risk management. These enhancements have not only streamlined our operations but have also facilitated new business opportunities internationally, allowing us to confidently expand our presence."

Berry Ma, head of Pakistan business at Alibaba, said their new logistics services aim to support Pakistani exporters by providing efficient solutions to overcome traditional barriers in international trade.

“We're committed to offering essential tools to help Pakistani businesses tap into significant growth opportunities in global markets,” Ma said.