Road to Mecca: Pakistani pilgrims are facing new problems

Karachi: Road to Mecca project to transport Hajj pilgrims from Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore has been canceled.

In this regard, the sources said that the pilgrims will not be able to avail the benefits of the Road to Mecca project from Lahore. Immigration and pre-clearance of Hajj pilgrims will also not be possible under the Road to Mecca project.

According to sources, a delegation of Saudi immigration officials has decided not to start the project immediately due to lack of time.

Saudi immigration officials say the system takes time to arrive and install from Saudi Arabia, so there can be no immediate system stalls.

According to sources, Saudi officials have decided to start the project next year instead of this year after visiting Lahore Airport.

Saudi immigration delegation apologizes to Lahore airport authorities for initiating the project

In this regard, airport sources said that the facilities available to the pilgrims under the Road Tomka project will no longer be available. Arrangements for the road to Mecca at Lahore Airport were completed by CAA officials.

According to sources, the move will facilitate the travel of pilgrims by finalizing the procedure for issuing e-Hajj visas and their entry before their arrival in Saudi Arabia.

In Saudi Arabia, the entry of Hajj pilgrims is like a domestic flight, after which their luggage is sent to their residences through the Ministry of Hajj.

It may be recalled that the implementation of "Road to Mecca project" was started 15 days ago at Islamabad International Airport to facilitate Hajj pilgrims.

According to Airport Manager Adnan Khan, the Hajj operation was not carried out for two years due to Coveid 19. All facilities will be provided to the Saudi immigration staff for the Road to Mecca project at Islamabad Airport.

It should be noted that under the Road to Mecca project, pilgrims from Islamabad benefited in 2019.