Kingdom of Saudia Arabia imposes temporary travel ban to their country before Hajj

In an unprecedented development, Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary ban on the visas of 14 countries before the 2025 Hajj programme, one of which is Pakistan. The KSA announced new travel restrictions targeting nationals from 14 countries including Pakistan, according to ARY News. As per the news agency, the visa ban will apply to Umrah, business and family visas.

Reports have identified 13 nations that will face Saudi Arabia visa ban. The 13 identified countries are:

1. India; 2. Pakistan; 3. Bangladesh; 4. Egypt; 5. Indonesia; 6. Iraq; 7. Nigeria; 8. Jordan; 9. Algeria;

10. Sudan; 11. Ethiopia; 12. Tunisia; 13. Yemen.

Notably, the decision comes after the tragedy during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, where over 1,000 people were killed in the event. Many of these pilgrims were unauthorised. Overcrowding and extreme heat acted as the catalyst behind the tragedy. Saudi Arabia now believes that a visa ban to restrict illegal visitors will facilitate a smooth Hajj pilgrimage, devoid of such tragedies.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also clarified that individuals from the listed countries who currently hold valid short-term visas for Saudi Arabia may continue to travel to or remain in the Kingdom only until April 13, 2025. After this date, all such visa holders must exit the country. Entry will not be permitted beyond the deadline, regardless of the visa’s validity period, said the sources. Additionally, failure to comply with the exit deadline may result in a five-year ban from entering the Kingdom, the orders stated. It also mentioned that Pakistani Umrah visa holders have been instructed to return to their country by April 29.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Religious Affairs in the process of fecilitating Hajj Pilgrims has approved the Hajj flight schedule. Under the government Hajj scheme, 89,000 pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj through five airlines.

At the time when KSA has ordered Pakistani Umrah Visa Holders to return to their country by 29^th. April, The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was aspiring to carry more than 56,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia this year. The country’s national airline carrier unveiled its pre-Hajj 2025 flight schedule, which is scheduled to operate from April 29 to June 1. During this mammoth exercise, the airline aspires to over 280 dedicated flights.

According to Press Release, around 20,000 pilgrims will travel under Islamabad’s Hajj scheme, while 36,000 will proceed through private arrangements. For transporting the pilgrims, the PIA will utilise the Boeing 777 and Airbus A320 planes, and then start its post-Hajj flight operation to bring back the pilgrims to Pakistan from June 12, and continue till July 10. As per The Nation, government officials stated that a comprehensive plan has been developed to facilitate a secure and timely return for all pilgrims, with special measures in place to ensure convenience and avoid any travel disruptions.

The PIA has been undergoing massive reforms as the national carrier is set to be privatised, with the government focusing on resolving long-standing issues and attracting strategic partners to improve its financial situation and operations. As the PIA, once heralded as one of the greatest airlines in Asia, has become a financial burden due to poor management, overstaffing, safety issues, government and private corruption, massive debt, and competition from other neighbouring flights in the region, particularly from India. The airline has had to go through a massive overhaul, resulting in total restructuring to prepare it for privatisation.

Team Maverick