ISLAMABAD: Sixty Pakistanis will travel to Saudi Arabia next week to perform the Hajj as guests of King Salman under a special program that sponsors their Hajj expenses, an official at the Saudi embassy said on Wednesday.   The Saudi ruler last week issued a directive stating that the oil-rich country will host 1,300 pilgrims from over 90 countries this year for Hajj under the “Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program.”  “This initiative by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs is an annual event, where individuals from various Muslim countries are invited to perform Hajj as guests of the Saudi king,” Abubakar Siddique, an official at the Saudi Embassy responsible for its Islamic Ummah affairs, told Arab News during a ceremony.  “This year, a total of 60 pilgrims from Pakistan, including both men and women, are traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj under this initiative,” he said, adding that it would be a completely sponsored Hajj.  Travel, accommodation and all other arrangements during Hajj will be sponsored by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, as these pilgrims are considered special guests of King Salman, he added.  Siddique said the program has been running for several years and last year 40 Pakistanis performed the Hajj as special guests of the king.  “The selection criteria for these participants are based on their significant contributions to the host country, with a majority of them being religious scholars,” he said.  Other members included those who had served their communities and played a role in fostering Pakistan-Saudi relations.  *** PICTURES:  Hajj 2023: Muslim faithful start arriving for annual pilgrimage *** Hafiz Zubair Hassan, a religious scholar from Lahore, thanked the Saudi king and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting him the opportunity to perform Hajj.  “I pray for the continued positive and constructive role played by the Saudi leadership in the betterment of the Muslim world, as they have consistently stood at the forefront whenever the Ummah has needed their support,” he told Arab News.  Hassan praised the strong relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, likening it to two hearts beating in one body.  “I believe that this enduring relationship will endure indefinitely,” Hassan added.  Syed Hayat Ullah Khan, a religious scholar from Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar, said today was “the most significant and unforgettable day” of his entire life.  “I will forever cherish the honor bestowed upon me by the Saudi leadership to perform Hajj as their esteemed guest,” he told Arab News.  Khan applauded the Saudi king and the crown prince for promoting peace in the Muslim world.  Another Lahore-based religious scholar, Mohtasim Elahi Zaheer, expressed his gratitude on receiving his plane tickets and Hajj visa.  “It is a great virtue and service to the Muslims by the Saudis, and we pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of the Kingdom,” he said.