KHEWRA: Four members of a Pakistani family lost their lives and one girl member was critically injured in a road accident that occurred in Saudi Arabia after they returned from Umrah from Makkah to Bahrain.
Four members of the deceased belonged to the Khotian village in the Pind Dadan Khan Tehsil of Jhelum district. Family members of the deceased got into an accident on the way by road.
Rana Mumtaz Ahmed, along with his wife and two daughters, was part of the road accident and died at the spot, official sources revealed.
One sister was seriously injured in the accident and was immediately taken to the hospital. Sources in the hospital informed that the condition of the victim is critical.
This road accident has turned the family into mourning for their beloved family members and villagers who offered condolences to the family and prayed for the deceased and the seriously injured girl.
Pakistani diplomatic officials in Saudi Arabia have been informed of the incident and are in contact with the bereaved family. The embassy has assured full assistance with legal formalities, documentation, and the repatriation of the victims’ remains to Pakistan.
Every year, thousands of Pakistanis travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah and Hajj, while many also undertake road journeys to visit relatives in Gulf countries. Fatal road accidents involving pilgrims and expatriate families continue to highlight the risks associated with long-distance travel in the region.
Saudi Arabia to Host 1,000 Umrah Pilgrims as Royal Guests
Earlier, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has approved the hosting of 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from 66 countries as royal guests under a special program aimed at strengthening ties with Muslims around the world.
This scheme is a part of the Guest Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in which specially selected individuals are given an opportunity to perform Umrah through an invitation extended by the Saudi government.
It has been stated by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance that these invited pilgrims would arrive in various phases during the year. This scheme is to be executed in four phases in the Islamic Year 1448 AH.
It has been mentioned that this special quota will be allocated for those distinguished individuals who have been invited as royal guests by the Saudi government.
In the first phase, 250 pilgrims who undertake Umrah from 16 Asian countries will be visiting Saudi Arabia. These countries include Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, along with many other Asian countries.
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Abdullatif Al Alsheikh thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support in implementing this initiative.
t shows that this is another step taken by Saudi Arabia to continue its tradition of service to Islam and Muslims. According to the ministry, this initiative will also help to improve relations with scholars, religious clerics, and personalities from the Muslim world.
