Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah signed Hajj Agreement 2012 with Minister for Hajj Saudi Arabia Dr. Bandar bin Mohammad al-Hajjar.

The agreement was signed here Wednesday at the Ministry of Hajj office.

The Minister was accompanied by senior Pakistani functionaries including Shaukat Hayat Durrani, Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs, Salik Khan, Consul General of Pakistan at Jeddah, Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, Director General Hajj, Sohail Ali Khan Consul, Syed Rafeo Bashir Shah, Director Pakistan Hajj Mission and Bahrullah Hazarvi, Director in the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Earlier, Syed Khursheed Shah held a meeting with Saudi Minister for Hajj Dr. Bandar bin Mohammad al-Hajjar and presented a letter from Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to Saudi Minister.

The Prime Minister in his letter has expressed gratitude to the immense services of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and the Crown Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz and Haj Ministry Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the numerous steps being taken for the constant improvements and upgrading the Umra and Hajj experiences of pilgrims from all over the world.

Some important features of Hajj Agreement this year include:

The number of Pakistani Hajj quota is expected to be increased by 10,000 pilgrims this year.

All Pakistani Pilgrims would use Electric Rail services during Hajj 1433 instead of buses for transport during the actual Hajj days (from Mina - Arafat -Mina).

A strong contingent of 1890 Pakistan Khuddam ul Hujjaj and Medical Mission, will arrive from Pakistan to serve the Pak Hajj Pilgrims.

Around 30,000 Pilgrims will arrive in Madina Munawwarah, directly from Pakistan.

1st Hajj flight to reach Saudi Arabia on 1st of Dhul Qada 1433 (September 17, 2012). Last Hajj Flight will reach Saudi Arabia on 4th Dhul Hijjah 1433H, (October 20, 2012).

Post Hajj Flight operations will begin with the departure of 1st Hajj flight from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan on 14th Dhul Hijjah 1433 (October 30, 2012).

Hajj visas would be issued to pilgrims holding digital international Passports only (MRP).

For the first time, the pilgrims will be allowed to carry specially prepared Zamzam cans packed and supplied by Khadim ul Haramain Project for supply of zamzam water.

All those Airlines having licenses to operate inside Saudia Arabia and have offices in Saudi Arabia, including Makkah and Madina, and approved by Saudi Arabian Civil Aviation Authority would be liable to transport Pakistani hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.