KARACHI – In a significant development aime at enhancing the pilgrimage experience for travelers, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, has greenlit the establishment of the “Road to Makkah” project facility at Karachi airport. A high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia, led by Saudi Consul General in Karachi Faleh Al-Rehaili, visited Jinnah International Airport (JIAP) to initiate discussions and assessments for the implementation of the project.
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) confirmed that the purpose of the delegation’s visit was to evaluate airport facilities and discuss arrangements for the Road to Makkah project. Upon their arrival, the delegation received a warm welcome from the airport authority’s acting manager and other representatives, who provided an extensive tour of the airport facilities.
During their visit, the delegation meticulously inspected the pilgrimage process, beginning from the main entrance to the immigration area, focusing on facilities and procedures. Meetings were also held with airport security, customs, and immigration officials to deliberate on processing requirements and procedures.
Of particular emphasis were discussions regarding the immigration process for pilgrims, allocation of immigration space, and the differentiation between government and private scheme pilgrims. It was underscored that pilgrims should arrive at least five hours before their flight to ensure ample time for necessary procedures.
Sources close to the matter revealed that Saudi Arabian immigration facilities for Hajj pilgrims would be finalized at Karachi airport in the coming days. Under the Road to Makkah project, all essential requirements for pilgrims traveling from Karachi and other parts of Sindh will be catered to at the airport.
Once cleared at the airport, pilgrims will bypass immigration at Jeddah and Medina airports, proceeding directly to their accommodations. This initiative, already operational at Islamabad airport, aims to simplify and streamline immigration processes for pilgrims, ensuring a seamless experience.
This latest development follows a significant milestone achieved in May 2023 when Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Interior Minister, Dr. Nasir Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Dawood, visited Pakistan to finalize and sign an agreement related to the Road to Makkah project. The project is anticipated to mark a substantial improvement in facilitating the journey to Makkah for pilgrims, providing them with ease and efficiency throughout their pilgrimage experience.