Islamabad:
The Federal Minister of Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf informed the Senate on Friday that Saudi Arabia had initially awarded a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims to Pakistan this year, equally distributed between the government and private sectors.
The Minister explained that all HAJJ operators – public and private – according to Saudi government directives – were obliged to make payments for accommodation, TAWAFA services and other expenses by February 14, 2025.
Pilgrims registered through companies that met the deadline were successfully enrolled in the Saudi portal, while those attached to late paid operators lost their quota.
Sardar Yousuf clarified that this issue was not unique to Pakistan, as between 300,000 to 350,000 pilgrims around the world faced similar challenges.
But when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif noticed, he personally intervened and requested the Saudi authorities for an expansion. As a result, the deadline was extended until February 21, which allowed an additional 13,600 Pakistani pilgrims to complete their payments.
After sustained efforts, the Saudi government gave Pakistan an extra quota of 10,000 pilgrims. Since then, about 23,000 to 25,000 applicants have completed their payments. So far, approx. 115,000 Pakistani pilgrims confirmed for Hajj this year.
The Minister assured that the government is actively negotiating on behalf of the remaining 65,000 applicants and that he has personally visited Saudi Arabia twice to follow up, in addition to sending formal appeals.
He rejected claims of delayed communication with private Hajj companies and said they were repeatedly reminded through official correspondence to comply with the Saudi sets.
The Minister confirmed Pakistan’s obligation to facilitate all eligible pilgrims and said, “We are seriously engaged with Saudi authorities to find a solution for the remaining applicants.”
