Islamabad:A grand pre-launching ceremony of the 3rd Pakistan Haj and Umrah Exhibition 2025 was held here Thursday with Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, attending the event as chief guest.
In his address, the minister highlighted the importance of such exhibitions, stressing the Umrah Act will be strictly enforced to prevent exploitative practices such as sending beggars for Umrah. He said the pilgrims are ambassadors of their country and they must adhere to Saudi laws and local regulations.
The Haj and Umrah Exhibition will be held from October 24 to 26 at the Pak-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad, hosted by Maassalama Pvt. Ltd. Co-organisers include PTDC, RCSTSI, Riphah University, IRI International Islamic University, National Incubation Centre, Ignite National Technology Fund, and Orbit Events. Sardar Yousaf added that Hajj and Umrah should not be turned into commercial or leisure trips. He also called for greater focus on boosting Pakistan’s exports to Saudi Arabia during Hajj and Umrah seasons.
He hoped that Haj and Umrah Expo would yield positive outcomes in shape of promotion of Islamic economy and growth in exports. He assured ministry’s full cooperation to Maassalama -- organizers of the exhibition.
Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Commerce and Industry Rana Ehsan Malik stressed that Pakistan needs to tap vast opportunities within the Haj and Umrah industry, saying that Pakistani companies can play more proactive role in this sector and the government will extend all possible support in this regard.
PTDC Managing Director Rana Aftab underlined the need for special training of tour operators to better guide the pilgrims.
Mufti Zubair Ashraf Usmani emphasized the need for religious, ethical, and administrative training of the pilgrims. The exhibition will feature participation from Saudi Hajj and Umrah companies, transport and telecom firms, hotels, and airlines, along with Pakistani banks, airlines, telecom companies, Hajj and Umrah travel product providers, digital solutions, hotel accessories manufacturers and exporters, and Islamic product companies.
Special trainings for Pakistani pilgrims, Umrah performers, and companies designed to align services with Islamic and Eastern traditions and further improve Haj and Umrah operations will be introduced. The participants stressed that the exhibition will serve as a milestone for the growth of Pakistan’s Hajj and Umrah industry, promotion of religious tourism, enhancement of exports to KSA, ultimately bringing positive impacts on Pakistan’s economy.
The event was also attended by Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Commerce and Industry Rana Ehsan Malik, and Chairman Shariah Board HBL Mufti Zubair Ashraf Usmani as special guests. The pre-launch event was also attended by representatives from leading institutions including banks, aviation and telecom sectors.