Pak Haj Mission honours performance of staff in Makkah

Islamabad:In a ceremony held in Makkah on Monday, the Pakistan Haj Mission honoured the exceptional performance of its staff, whose relentless efforts contributed to the seamless execution of the Haj 2025.

Federal Secretary for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dr. Syed Ataur Rehman who presided over the event, stressed the importance of continuous improvement and early preparation for future Haj operations, the media wing of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Makkah said.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ataur Rehman underscored the need for meticulous planning and early training for both staff and pilgrims. "We will prepare our staff, especially Nazims, well in advance for the upcoming Haj," he declared. "Similarly, from the moment pilgrims enrol, their training will commence to ensure they are fully prepared for the sacred journey."

Highlighting the ministry’s commitment to excellence, Dr. Ata ur Rehman announced stricter criteria for selecting Seasonal Duty Staff (SDS), welfare staff, and medical personnel. "Specialisation will be our focus," he stated. "Candidates must demonstrate thorough knowledge of Mina and Arafat’s geography. Transparency and equity will be paramount in all appointments."

He credited the success of Haj 2025 to frictionless coordination between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Office of Pilgrim Affairs Pakistan (OPAP). "Our teams were fully integrated, working in perfect harmony. Moving forward, we will enhance this coordination and teamwork to deliver an even better Haj experience."

Despite the ongoing conclusion of this year’s Haj operations, Dr. Rehman reaffirmed the mission’s dedication to serving pilgrims until the last Pakistani Haji departs. Director General Haj, Abdul Wahab Somroo, lauded the welfare staff for their tireless efforts, attributing this year’s success to their dedication. "Because of your hard work, Haj 2025 was a triumph," he said. "But we will not rest on our laurels, next year, we aim to do even better."

Somroo outlined plans to improve pilgrim accommodations, particularly for elderly Hujjaj. "We will prioritise ground-floor rooms for senior pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah, Mina, and Arafat," he assured. "Every year, we introduce new measures to enrich the Haj experience, and we will continue to innovate."

Dr. Mirza Ali Mehsood, chief coordinator of Makkah, reflected on the spiritual significance of facilitating pilgrims. He further commended Federal Secretary Dr. Syed Ataur Rehman for spearheading the implementation of the National Testing Service (NTS) system in staff selection, which ensures transparency, fairness, and merit-based appointments.

Regarding this year’s Nazim system, Dr. Mehsood remarked that it is a highly commendable initiative that should be further strengthened Zulfiqar Khan, coordinator Makkah, expressed deep appreciation for the Haj 2025 team.