The first group of Pakistani Hajj pilgrims arrived in Makkah on Sunday after completing their stay in Madinah, the ministry of religious affairs said on Monday, marking the next phase of Pakistan’s annual pilgrimage operation. A total of 651 pilgrims were transported to the holy city as part of the transition from Madinah ahead of the main Hajj rituals.
Largest pilgrim quota
Pakistan is expected to send 179,210 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj in 2026 under its official quota, one of the largest in the world. Pilgrims will travel under both government and private schemes. The Hajj operation involves complex coordination of transport, accommodation and logistics as pilgrims move between key religious sites, with the shift to Makkah preceding the core rites of Hajj in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.
Official statement
“The first convoy of Pakistani intending Hajj pilgrims, comprising 651 individuals, arrived in Makkah Al-Mukarramah on Sunday after being transferred from Madinah, marking the formal transition of Pakistan’s Hajj operation into its next phase,” an official statement said. The 2026 operation includes a number of procedural improvements aimed at easing movement and reducing congestion during peak days.
Key improvements
- Advance allocation of Mina accommodation: Pilgrims are informed of their tent numbers, corridors and bed assignments before arrival to minimize confusion during one of the most crowded stages of the pilgrimage.
- Upgraded digital systems: The Nusuk card process and pre-arrival data management have been enhanced to speed up registration and accommodation procedures upon arrival in Makkah.
The phased movement of pilgrims to Makkah is expected to continue in the coming days as Pakistan’s Hajj operation gathers pace ahead of the annual pilgrimage.
