Pakistan attends global Hajj symposium on pilgrim crowd management

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan took part in a global Hajj symposium in Saudi Arabia this week where officials reviewed digital initiatives aimed at improving crowd management and pilgrim movement during the upcoming Hajj season, the Ministry of Religious Affairs said on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia is preparing to host millions of pilgrims during another peak summer season, with authorities focusing on coordination, health care, transport logistics and safety measures at Islam’s holiest sites.

Pakistan, one of the largest contributors of pilgrims, expects around 179,000 citizens to perform Hajj this year under government and private schemes. Officials said medical and logistical arrangements have been expanded amid rising temperatures in the Kingdom.

“The symposium reviewed digital transformation initiatives aimed at improving the movement of pilgrims within the holy sites,” the ministry said in a statement.

It added that Saudi authorities had made extensive arrangements to protect pilgrims from extreme weather conditions.

According to the ministry, religious affairs ministers and heads of Hajj missions from around the world attended the event.

Saudi officials from the interior, health and Hajj ministries briefed participants on preparations for the pilgrimage season, it said.

Discussions also focused on strengthening coordination with international Hajj missions and reviewing modern systems for the distribution of sacrificial meat during the pilgrimage.

The symposium, now in its 50th edition, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s continued focus on improving services and facilities for pilgrims, the statement added.