Pakistan has made backup plans for the safe return of its Hajj pilgrims if fighting between Iran and the United States resumes and interferes with regional air transport. according to Islamabad's religious affairs minister.
The war between Washington and Tehran, which started on February 28 and on hold due to a ceasefire since April 8, has caused flight disruptions throughout the west Asia and increased concerns about shipping and energy supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial international oil transit route.
Tens of thousands of Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia every year through both government-run and private programs, making Pakistan one of the world's top suppliers of Hajj pilgrims. Over 60,000 Pakistanis have already arrived in the Kingdom, and over 179,000 are anticipated to make the journey this year.
"We first ask Allah Almighty to maintain peace in the area." Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf stated in an interview with Arab News. "But if, God forbid, any unfortunate situation arises, we already have a contingency plan ready."
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The plan was created in collaboration with Saudi officials. "If necessary, we will carry out the emergency plan to guarantee Pakistani pilgrims' safe return and protection."
Yousaf stated that a meeting on the matter was anticipated shortly and that Pakistan's foreign ministry and its embassy in Riyadh were coordinating the arrangements with Saudi Arabia's civil aviation, interior, and foreign affairs officials.
Yousaf added, "But we do have an emergency plan in place to get Pakistanis out." "We will also coordinate with the Saudi government whenever necessary."
On April 29, Pakistan started its pre-Hajj flight operation, which is expected to last until May 21.
This year, the majority of Pakistani pilgrims are travelling under Saudi Arabia's Route to Makkah Initiative, which permits travellers to finish immigration and customs processes prior to leaving Pakistan, avoiding arrival processing in Saudi Arabia and going straight to their lodging in Makkah or Madinah.
This year, the program—which was previously limited to Islamabad and Karachi—was extended to Lahore.
According to Yousaf, Pakistan was also in negotiations with Saudi officials to expand the initiative to the cities of Quetta in the southwest and Peshawar in the northwest. "They are considering it under the necessary criteria, and discussions are ongoing regarding its expansion to Peshawar and Quetta," he stated. "We hope it can be extended there in the future as well."
According to the minister, Islamabad also wants Pakistan's Hajj quota to be raised to 230,000 pilgrims in the future, claiming that the country's sizable Muslim population warrants a larger allotment.
"There are about 230 million Muslims in Pakistan, and according to the formula, our quota comes to about 230,000 pilgrims," Yousaf stated.
"We have already spoken with the Saudi authorities about this matter. They will consider it, and we hope that Pakistan's quota will rise if they choose to raise quotas globally.
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