RIYADH: The launch of the Makkah Route Initiative at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport aims to facilitate pilgrims’ journeys, the Director-General of Passports Lieutenant General Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Yahya has said. Speaking during Sunday’s launch of the initiative at the airport, Al-Yahya said the introduction of a mobile counter-verification device, equipped with AI and innovative digital solutions, is streamlining procedures for beneficiaries of the initiative. The initiative was launched in 2019 and 11 airports across seven countries are currently participating, Saudi Press Agency reported. The initiative aims to provide high-quality services to Hajj pilgrims from beneficiary countries. As part of the initiative, biometric data is collected in the pilgrim’s home country and the necessary procedures are carried out there. An electronic Hajj visa is also issued in the pilgrim’s country. The Kingdom’s General Directorate of Passports will ensure that health requirements are met before pilgrims enter the country, and baggage will be coded and sorted according to transportation and accommodation arrangements. Pilgrims will be transported to their residences in Makkah and Madinah by bus and partner agencies will transport their luggage separately.