By Raziq Ali Shah
MAKKAH, Jun 16 (APP):The Pakistan Hajj Mission honored the exceptional performance of its welfare staff, whose relentless efforts contributed to the seamless execution of the 2025 Hajj.
Federal Secretary for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dr. Syed Ata Ur Rehman was the chief guest at the ceremony to celebrate the success of Hajj 2025.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Syed Ata Ur Rehman said that a thousand-mile journey begins with a single step. He 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 Hajj,” he said.
He said that similarly, from the moment pilgrims enroll, their training will commence to ensure they are fully prepared for the sacred journey.
Highlighting the ministry’s commitment to excellence, the Secretary said the strict criteria for selecting Seasonal Duty Staff (SDS), welfare staff, and medical personnel. “Specialization will be our focus,” he remarked.
He went on to say that candidates must demonstrate thorough knowledge of Mina and Arafat’s geography. Transparency and equity will be paramount in all appointments, he added.
He credited the success of Hajj 2025 to ideal coordination between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Office of Pilgrim Affairs Pakistan (OPAP). “Our teams were fully integrated, working in perfect harmony,” he said.
Moving forward, he emphasized that coordination and teamwork would be further enhanced to deliver an even better Hajj experience.
Speaking on the occasion, Director General (DG) Hajj Abdul Wahab Somroo lauded the welfare staff for their tireless efforts, attributing this year’s success to their dedication. “Because of your hard work, Hajj 2025 was a triumph,” he said.
He said “We will not rest on our laurels. Next year, we aim to do even better.”
He emphasized that priority would be given to ground-floor rooms for senior pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah, Mina, and Arafat. “Every year, we introduce new measures to enrich the Hajj experience, and we will continue to innovate,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Coordinator of Makkah, Dr. Mirza Ali Mehsood said that Allah Almighty has entrusted them with this noble duty, and there is immense divine reward in serving His guests.
He commended Dr. Syed Ata Ur 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 said that it is a highly commendable initiative that should be further strengthened.
“The pre-Hajj operations were a success, and we will now apply the same dedication and diligence to post-Hajj services to ensure seamless facilitation for Pakistani pilgrims,” he remarked.
Coordinator Makkah Zulfiqar Khan expressed deep appreciation for the Hajj 2025 team, adding, “My heartfelt gratitude goes to every member who worked day and night to ensure the pilgrims’ comfort and safety.”
Other officials, including Coordinator F&C Sajjad Haider Yaldarm and Director Makkah Azizullah Khan, also spoke on the occasion.
