ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has finalised the selection of 1,900 Pakistani welfare staff (Moavineen-e-Hajj) for deployment in Saudi Arabia to help intending pilgrims during hajj days, according to officials of the ministry.
They said that the contingent of 1,300 welfare staff including doctors, para medical staff and the ministry staff have been nominated by the federal ministries, departments, provincial governments, police, civil defence, scouts and other public sector organisations.
A total of 179,210 Pakistanis performed Hajj every year. The sub offices of the Religious Ministry has established in Saudi Arabia including Jeddah, Makkah and Madina to faciltate intending pilgrims. Currently, the training of the staff is being continued.
The officials said that a BPS 20 or 21 officer would supervise the welfare staff. The ministry has also hired the services of 800 local staff members, who could communicate in the Arabic language with Saudi agencies to facilitate the pilgrims, they added.