Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's 'Road to Makkah' Expansion

Saudi Arabia's 'Road to Makkah' project has expanded to include Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, a key airport in Pakistan, ahead of the upcoming Hajj operation. This development aims to facilitate a smoother immigration process for Hajj pilgrims departing from Karachi, eliminating the need to wait in queues in the Kingdom.

As part of the initiative, dedicated counters are being established at Karachi Jinnah International Airport to streamline immigration procedures. Once the arrangements are finalized, pilgrims will no longer have to undergo immigration processes at Jeddah and Madina airports, enhancing their overall travel experience.

The decision to include Karachi in the 'Road to Makkah' project was made on the directives of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. The Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has allocated space for two dedicated counters for Hajj pilgrims departing from Karachi this year, marking a significant step towards improving Hajj operations.

The 'Road to Makkah' initiative is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to enhance and simplify Hajj programs, benefiting pilgrims from various countries, including Pakistan. The Ministry of Religious Affairs in Pakistan has expressed plans to extend the initiative to airports in Lahore and Karachi, in addition to the existing service at Islamabad International Airport.

For the 2024 Hajj season, Pakistan has around 180,000 allocated seats, including provisions for private Hajj operators. To encourage participation, the government has allowed individuals who performed Hajj in the last five years to apply. Additionally, the introduction of a Short Hajj package and the continuation of the Sponsorship Scheme aim to make the pilgrimage more accessible and convenient for pilgrims.