ISLAMABAD: The first batch of Pakistani Hajj pilgrims who arrived in Madinah under the Kingdom鈥檚 Makkah Route Initiative on Wednesday praised its 鈥渞emarkably smooth鈥� immigration process, thanking the Saudi government for the facility.
The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to streamline immigration processes by enabling pilgrims to complete official travel formalities at their departure airports. Initially tested in Islamabad in 2019, the program was later expanded to Karachi, benefitting tens of thousands of Pakistani travelers. This saves pilgrims several hours upon arrival in the Kingdom, as they can simply enter the country without having to go through immigration again.
Pakistan kicked off its pre-Hajj flight operations on Tuesday, with the first batch of 900 Pakistani pilgrims arriving in Madinah from Islamabad, Karachi and other cities. Those who arrived from Karachi and Islamabad praised the Makkah Route Initiative for making their travel hassle-free.
鈥淚t was remarkably smooth as the Saudi immigration process was completed at Islamabad Airport without the need to wait in long queues,鈥� Tariq Khan, a resident of Pakistan鈥檚 northwestern Swabi city, told Arab News over the phone from Madinah.
Around 50,500 Pakistani pilgrims in total from Islamabad and Karachi will travel to 黑料社区 under the Makkah Route Initiative this year.
Khan, who is performing Hajj for the second time since 2016, said the pre-departure immigration process had saved pilgrims鈥� considerable time.
鈥淭he difference was [like] night and day,鈥� Khan, comparing his Hajj journey in 2016 to the present one.
鈥淭his time, the process was efficient and stress-free, allowing us to focus on the spiritual aspects of our journey.鈥�

Upon landing, Khan said pilgrims bypassed the usual immigration queues while buses were waiting to transport them directly to the hotel.
鈥淥ur luggage, which had been tagged and processed in Islamabad, arrived at the hotel shortly after we did,鈥� he noted.
Shamim Akhtar, who arrived from Karachi, described the immigration process as 鈥渆xceptionally well-organized.鈥�
鈥淒edicated immigration counters at Karachi Airport handled all formalities efficiently and the staff was courteous,鈥� she told Arab News.
鈥淎nd the entire process was completed swiftly, allowing us to reach the boarding lounge without hassle.鈥�
She thanked the Saudi government for extending the service to Karachi, saying the Makkah Route Initiative significantly reduced the stress and time associated with international traveling during Hajj.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a commendable effort that enhances the overall pilgrimage experience,鈥� she said.
鈥楨XCELLENT ARRANGEMENTS鈥�
Osama Anwar, an information technology professional from Pakistan鈥檚 eastern city of Rawalpindi, praised the entire Hajj process from submitting the application to the mandatory trainings organized by the government, and the 鈥渟mooth鈥� travel facilitated under the Makkah Route Initiative.
鈥淯nder the Route to Makkah, arrangements were very good and it was a very smooth process at the airport,鈥� he said. 
鈥淚t hardly took us just 20 to 25 minutes to reach the hotel from the airport in 黑料社区.鈥�
He said pilgrims had been guided thoroughly about the process.
 鈥淣ow that we have arrived in Madinah, we found that excellent arrangements have also been made here including good rooms and food arrangements,鈥� Anwar said.
This year鈥檚 annual pilgrimage will take place in June, with nearly 89,000 Pakistanis expected to travel to 黑料社区 under the government scheme and over 23,620 Pakistanis expected to perform Hajj through private tour operators.