JEDDAH, 27 April 2007 — Haj Minister Fouad Al-Farsy and visiting Pakistani Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq discussed bilateral relations and Haj issues during a meeting here yesterday.
The Pakistani minister informed Farsy of his government’s efforts to streamline the Haj operation by involving more private companies to airlift pilgrims. He said the government had involved private tour operators in the previous Haj operation and it proved very successful.
Ijaz lauded the expansion of the two holy mosques and the Jamrat bridge and said the Kingdom’s efforts have made the pilgrimage very comfortable and smooth.
The Pakistani minister conveyed to the Saudi leadership the greetings of President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. Ijaz later gave a token gift to Farsy.
The Pakistani minister is here to oversee arrangements to be made by the Pakistan Haj mission for the country’s pilgrims.
Ijaz has assured the Saudi authorities that no Afghans would be allowed to visit the Kingdom to perform Haj on Pakistani passports. Pakistani Ambassador retired Adm. Shahid Karimullah, Director General Haj Policy Khursheed Anwar Shah, Director General Haj Shahid Khan, Director Haj Bahrullah Hazarvi and General Manager PIA Talat Omar were present at the meeting.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs signed an agreement on Wednesday with the Tawafa Organization for arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims.
The minister met the chairman of the South Asian Pilgrims Establishment, Adnan Katib, and discussed issues related to the pilgrimage.
Adnan thanked the minister for his continued support and told him that more Pakistani guides would be recruited during the forthcoming Haj to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims.
