ISLAMABAD, Apr 2 (APP):The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (MoRA&IH) has successfully concluded a mandatory Four-day training program for its 306-member Seasonal Duty Staff (SDS) to ensure the effective facilitation of pilgrims during the Hajj Operation 2026.
Hajj 2026: Training of 306-member MoRA seasonal staff concludes; contingent ready for Saudi Arabia departure
By Khuram Shahzad
ISLAMABAD, Apr 2 (APP):The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (MoRA&IH) has successfully concluded a mandatory Four-day training program for its 306-member Seasonal Duty Staff (SDS) to ensure the effective facilitation of pilgrims during the Hajj Operation 2026.
This specialized contingent, comprising officers and officials from BPS-1 to BPS-19, is prepared to depart for Saudi Arabia with the core mission of “Service is Worship”.The team will be deployed across Makkah Mukarramah, Madinah Munawwarah, and the Holy Sites (Mashair) of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah to assist approximately 119,000 Pakistani pilgrims in their religious journey.
The 306-member staff represents a diverse range of expertise, including 9 Deputy Secretaries and Directors at the BPS-19 level, 25 Section Officers and Deputy Directors at BPS-18, and 272 assistants, field staff, and support personnel from BPS-1 to BPS-17.
Zulfiqar Khan, Coordinator Makkah and Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj, stated that following the modern training of 870 Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj, these ministerial officials underwent intensive sessions from March 30 to April 2, 2026. He emphasized that prioritizing the comfort of pilgrims over personal worship is the true essence of their duty, adding that honesty, diligence, and the timely execution of operational tasks are the primary guarantees of a successful Hajj operation.
Deputy Director Operations , Sadaqat Ali, highlighted that for the first time, staff received comprehensive practical training in modern technology and digital interventions. This included specialized instruction on the Pak Hajj App, Nusuk App, and Pak Moavineen App, as well as briefings on the Command and Control System for swift grievance redressal.
Furthermore, the staff was trained in critical field operations such as Mashair camp occupation, food arrangements, Maktab coordination, and “Lost & Found” luggage handling methodologies to ensure a seamless experience for the “Guests of Allah”.
The daily training sessions, lasting between two and a half to three hours, were led by subject matter experts including Mr. Muhammad Hafeez and Mr. Adeel Mehboob, who covered the code of conduct and an introduction to the Mashair. Additional technical and logistical training was provided by Mr. Nasir Aziz Khan, Mr. Jamil ur Rehman, and Mr. Shakeel Babar regarding IT interventions and group management, while Mr. Akram Shafique, Ms. Ayesha Ejaz, and Mr. Haider Ali managed sessions on Saudi regulations, food arrangements, and Mina movement.The program concluded with a formal oath-taking ceremony, marking the staff’s official readiness for their upcoming deployment
