Hajj Arrangements and Quota Concerns Addressed

Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, stated on Monday that Pakistani pilgrims will receive exceptional facilities for the upcoming Hajj. However, he did not provide a definitive answer regarding the status of the 67,000 unused spots under the private Hajj scheme.

Addressing the National Hajj Conference 2025, which was arranged by the Pakistan Ulema Council, the minister clarified that Saudi Arabia’s Hajj policy is consistently implemented across all nations. He indicated that should the Saudi government offer any flexibility to other countries, the remaining Pakistani applicants would also be afforded the chance to undertake Hajj.

“Pakistani pilgrims will also be duly considered if any leniency is extended to other nations concerning the extension of the deadline,” he added.

Sardar Yousuf acknowledged the collaborative efforts of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, along with his own and Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi’s interventions, in securing an agreement from the Saudi government to accommodate an additional 10,000 Pakistani pilgrims following the February 14 deadline.

Nevertheless, he specified that there was no adjustment to Pakistan’s overall allocation of 179,210. Initially, Saudi authorities proposed a quota of 102,000, but through our combined initiatives, an extra 10,000 places were secured, he noted.

He assured that applicants unable to perform Hajj would be reimbursed for their payments made in advance to Hajj operators for lodging arrangements in Makkah, Madina, and Mina.

Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, among numerous private Hajj organizers, attended the conference. Hafiz Tahir observed that irrespective of culpability, it is undeniable that Pakistan’s 67,000 Hajj quota has lapsed for the first time.

He noted that the prime minister has created a committee to find out who is responsible for the carelessness.

He urged the prime minister to take action against those accountable for disappointing 67,000 Pakistani devotees.

He commended King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for their commitment to outstanding Hajj arrangements each year and urged them to personally address the situation, enabling Pakistan to utilize its remaining quota. “It is our error that we were unable to adjust to the updated Saudi policy and did not make preparations promptly,” he admitted.

Tahir Ashrafi, in presenting the code of conduct for Hajj 2025, advised pilgrims to abstain from political actions and discussions, focusing entirely on prayer throughout their stay in the Holy Land.

He also urged them to stringently adhere to the laws and regulations established by Saudi organizers, who consistently provide remarkable arrangements for millions of pilgrims globally.

Meanwhile, the Hajj Organisers Association of Pakistan (HOAP), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter, has implored the Saudi crown prince to step in and resolve the ongoing visa processing challenges that have jeopardized the travel plans of thousands of Pakistani pilgrims.

Speaking at a press conference, association representatives revealed that with the Hajj season rapidly approaching, the Saudi visa processing system remained inaccessible to Pakistani organizers.

They elaborated that the official portal is utilized to submit records and information of prospective Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, a process essential for visa issuance.

However, recent system modifications and delays in permissions from Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs prevented the necessary data submission by the stipulated February 14 deadline.

The organizers voiced serious concerns, reporting that approximately 77,000 Pakistani pilgrims are currently facing ambiguity and distress.

They appealed to His Royal Highness for assistance during this crucial period and requested that all Pakistani pilgrims be permitted to undertake Hajj.

The speakers said that about 2.67 billion Saudi riyals have already been transferred from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia for housing and related plans for the intended Hajj pilgrims.

In addition, Rs22.5 billion has been used on airfare, Rs1.58 billion on taxes, and about Rs1.75 billion in service fees are being collected by Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. The association asked authorities to solve the issue to ensure that all registered pilgrims can participate in Hajj 2025.