RIYADH: Abrar Hussain Tanoli, a Pakistani financial professional based in Saudi Arabia and hailing from Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has been conferred with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for his decade-long services to Pakistani pilgrims and the wider community in the Kingdom.
Tanoli was among the Pakistani nationals decorated with the prestigious civil award in recognition of outstanding social and community services in Saudi Arabia. The award was presented at a special ceremony arranged by the Embassy of Pakistan in Riyadh.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq presented the award on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari. The recognition acknowledged Tanoli’s sustained contribution to Hajj volunteer work, community welfare, healthcare support and emergency assistance.
Tanoli is a founding member and Riyadh Coordinator of the Pakistan Hajj Volunteers Group (PHVG), which has been assisting pilgrims during Hajj since 2011. He has played an important role over the years in mobilising, coordinating and training Pakistani volunteers from various parts of Saudi Arabia for service during the annual pilgrimage.
The volunteers assist pilgrims in different situations, including guiding them to their designated tents, helping wheelchair users, facilitating movement around Hajj facilities and assisting sick and injured pilgrims in performing Tawaaf-e-Ziyarah while they are under treatment at Pakistan Medical Mission facilities.
PHVG carries out its work in coordination with the Pakistani Hajj Mission, the Embassy of Pakistan and relevant Saudi authorities. In 2024, the group mobilised and trained more than 1,500 volunteers to serve pilgrims. Their services were also recognised by Saudi authorities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Ahmed Farooq underlined the difficult nature of the responsibilities performed by volunteers during Hajj. He said they remain engaged round the clock during the five days of Hajj and continue their work despite challenging weather conditions and extreme heat.
The ambassador said volunteers support pilgrims who need medical attention, get separated from their groups, require wheelchairs or need other forms of assistance. He noted that their services are not confined to Pakistani pilgrims and are available to anyone requiring help.
He also said the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah facilitates the volunteers by providing information about pilgrims in need of assistance, reflecting the importance attached to their work during Hajj.
“We are very proud of all three of you for the work that you have done and for the good way that you have carried out these services,” Ambassador Farooq said.
For Tanoli, the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz is a recognition not only of his Hajj volunteerism but also of his wider community service spread over more than a decade.
In addition to his Hajj-related services, Tanoli has helped organise free medical camps for the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the Pakistan Doctors Group and the Embassy of Pakistan. These initiatives have provided healthcare services to community members, particularly those in need of support.
He is also a founding member of the Al-Bir Group, which assists Pakistanis facing financial problems and other social challenges.
Tanoli’s welfare work became especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through PHVG, he took part in efforts to support Pakistani families who were stranded or facing difficulties during the crisis. Volunteers helped arrange and distribute food, medicines and other essential items to families struggling to meet basic needs.
His humanitarian services have also extended to Pakistan, where he continues to support underprivileged families, deserving individuals and communities facing financial hardship.
Members of the Pakistani community have warmly welcomed the recognition, describing the award as an honour for Tanoli, his family and his native area in Mansehra. Congratulatory messages have highlighted his contribution to Pakistani pilgrims and the broader Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia.
The award is also being viewed as an acknowledgement of the spirit of volunteerism among overseas Pakistanis who dedicate their time and resources to serving fellow citizens and pilgrims.
Tanoli’s journey reflects a continued commitment to public service alongside his professional career in the financial sector. From assisting Hajj pilgrims and supporting medical camps to providing emergency relief and helping families in financial distress, his community work has remained a significant contribution to Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia and in Pakistan.
The Tamgha-e-Imtiaz marks an important national recognition of Abrar Hussain Tanoli’s long-standing services to pilgrims, community welfare and humanitarian assistance.
