The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has strongly refuted claims circulating in some media outlets regarding the potential suspension of Hajj flights due to the current situation in the Middle East. Ministry officials have described these reports as baseless and misleading.

A spokesperson for the ministry confirmed that preparations for Hajj 2026 are progressing as per the established schedule, and there have been no discussions or decisions made about halting or postponing any Hajj flights. The spokesperson emphasized that reports linking the Hajj flight schedule to regional tensions lack any factual foundation.

The visa issuance process for intending pilgrims is reportedly proceeding at a brisk pace, with other essential administrative arrangements also being finalized within the set timelines to ensure all departure-related procedures are completed on schedule. The official Hajj flight schedule is expected to be announced after Eid ul Fitr, at which point pilgrims will receive comprehensive details about their flights, accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, and other pertinent arrangements.

The ministry has urged prospective pilgrims to disregard unverified news and rely solely on official communications released by the ministry. Earlier, the Ministry of Religious Affairs had instructed private Hajj operators to complete visa processing for Hajj 2026 by March 15, ahead of the Saudi authorities’ deadline of March 20, to preempt any delays associated with the upcoming Eid holiday or other unforeseen circumstances.

In a separate development, the ministry has launched a detailed guidebook titled ‘Rehnuma-e-Hajj’ (Hajj Guide) for intending pilgrims. This comprehensive manual aims to assist pilgrims by explaining each stage of their sacred journey, from departure from Pakistan to the performance of Hajj rituals and their return, in an easy-to-understand format. The guidebook is structured into chapters, each thoroughly covering essential aspects of the pilgrimage.