ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Haj Mission in Makkah made special transport arrangements for intending pilgrims to offer Jumma prayers at the Haram.
Nearly 40,000 intending pilgrims from Pakistan have reached Makkah and offered Jumma prayers at the Haram, an official of the Haj Mission said. Unlike pilgrims from other countries, Pakistani pilgrims prefer to offer all prayers at Masjid al-Haram and they are facilitated by the Pakistani Haram Shuttle Service, a spokesperson said. Chief Coordinator Haj Operations Mirza Ali Mehsud and Coordinator Makkah Zulfiqar Khan, who supervised the Friday prayer transport operation, said the Saudi authorities have allowed one bus for 250 pilgrims, per day, for all countries. However, on the request of the Pakistan Haj Mission, one bus for 150 persons has been approved. After Friday prayers, the return process was concluded in a highly organised manner the official said. The Government Haj Scheme aims to provide best possible facilities under the ‘economy package’, he added.
In a related development, the Lost and Found Cell of the Pakistan Haj Mission recovered and returned a lost belt containing a significant amount of cash to a Pakistani pilgrim. According to Rana Mujahid, shift in-charge of the Lost and Found Cell in Makkah, a pilgrim from Lahore, Usman Shahid, lost his Ihram belt containing 4,308 Saudi Riyals (approximately Rs325,000) during his arrival in Jeddah. The belt was later found by Haider Ali, a member of the Pakistan Haj Mission team stationed at Jeddah Airport, who ensured it was sent to the main Lost and Found Cell in Makkah. Complicating the matter was the absence of any identity card or contact information inside the belt. Meanwhile, the pilgrim, who was staying in Building No. 301 in Makkah, formally reported the loss to the Lost and Found Cell. Rana Mujahid said the cell later summoned Usman Shahid and sought specific identifying details, including the exact amount of cash in the belt. After thorough cross-verification, officials handed over the cash and belt to the pilgrim.
Overwhelmed with relief and joy after recovering his money, Usman Shahid expressed profound gratitude to the officials.“I was deeply distressed and grieved after losing my money,” Shahid said. “The assistance provided by the Pakistan Haj Mission exceeded my expectations. I am extremely thankful to the Government of Pakistan for deploying such honest and dedicated staff to serve the pilgrims.”
