ISLAMABAD: An important update has been issued for pilgrims intending to perform Hajj this year, as biometric verification has been declared mandatory for obtaining a Saudi Hajj visa.
According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, pilgrims are advised to complete their biometric verification at home through the Saudi “Visa Bio” application as early as possible. The biometric process is compulsory for the issuance of a Hajj visa.
The spokesperson added that if biometric verification cannot be completed through the app, pilgrims must visit the Saudi Tasheer Centre before February 8 to complete the process.
The ministry has clearly stated that Hajj visas will not be issued without biometric verification.
Earlier, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf, while addressing a training workshop at a Haji Camp, emphasized that participation in both phases of Hajj training is mandatory. He warned that pilgrims who fail to attend the training sessions may be deprived of performing Hajj.
He further informed that Hajj training workshops are currently underway at more than 200 locations across the country.
The first phase of training will continue until February 14, while the second phase will be conducted after the month of Ramadan.
The federal minister highlighted that Hajj training helps pilgrims learn the correct performance of rituals, awareness of Saudi laws and arrangements, crowd management safety, discipline, patience, and the spirit of collective worship.
He added that performing Hajj without proper training increases the risk of mistakes and mismanagement during the pilgrimag
