Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) titled ‘Air Services Agreement’ to enhance cooperation in the field of air travel, particularly for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims from Pakistan.
The agreement was signed during Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah’s four-day visit to Pakistan. The agreement, expected to result in an increase in the number of flights connecting Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, is seen to transform the pilgrimage experience for millions.
Affordable flights for pilgrims
One of its primary goals is to make the journey more affordable for pilgrims undertaking the sacred Hajj and Umrah rites from Pakistan.
“Under this agreement, the number of flights between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will increase due to which the cost of travel will also be reduced”, he said.
“During this visit, we signed an MOU with the help of Allah, the Air Services Agreement,” Al-Rabiah announced, alongside Pakistan’s Caretaker Minister of Religious Affairs, Aneeq Ahmed, during a joint press conference held in Islamabad.
Dr. Al-Rabiah emphasized the significance of this agreement, highlighting that it would facilitate more Pakistani visitors to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Al-Rabiah furtger shed light on ongoing efforts to enhance the overall pilgrimage experience.
“In efforts to enhance the pilgrimage experience, we’ve renovated and opened eight historical sites in Madinah,” he said
Notably, around 100 additional sites in Makkah and Madinah are slated for opening in the near future.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia is keen to improve pilgrim services by fostering competition among service providers. This competitive environment is anticipated to elevate the quality of services while concurrently reducing costs for pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia to launch Nusuk Travel app in Pakistan
As part of Dr. Al-Rabiah’s visit, Saudi Tourism Authority is set to unveil the Nusuk travel planning and booking app in Pakistan today, on Tuesday.
Nusuk stands as Saudi Arabia’s inaugural official platform for planning, booking, and enhancing travel experiences related to Hajj or Umrah itineraries spanning Makkah, Madinah, and other destinations. This innovative app will empower travelers from all corners of the globe to seamlessly organize their entire journey within the Kingdom, from initiating an eVisa application to securing hotel accommodations and flights.
The platform promises to expedite the issuance of Umrah visas, potentially within 24 hours, and extend the visa period from 30 to 90 days.
The launch event for Nusuk will take place in Karachi, with the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, presiding over the event.
“As part of these initiatives, we will inaugurate a Nasuk exhibition in Karachi tomorrow and meet with Umrah tour operators and companies, aiming to simplify the process further,” Al-Rabiah had said during the joint press conference.
Dignitaries from Pakistan’s business community and Hajj and Umrah tour operators will also be present at this event, signaling the significance of the Nusuk app’s introduction.
“This platform is part of Saudi Vision 2030 that aims at opening Saudi Arabia to the world through increasing tourism,” Furqan Abdul Kadir, convener of the Central Standing Committee on Hajj and Umrah at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) which is organizing the launch event, told the news agency.
Kadir highlighted the app’s potential to grant tourists direct access to multiple Saudi cities, thereby facilitating simpler travel for Pakistanis heading to the Kingdom.
“Apart from the ease of having access to the Saudi visa, this would also increase interaction between the people of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, resulting in a further strengthened relationship,” he added.