Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf stated on Monday that Pakistani pilgrims would be provided with excellent Hajj arrangements, but stopped short of making any firm commitment regarding the fate of the country’s 67,000 lapsed quota under the private Hajj scheme, as reported by The News.
Speaking at the National Hajj Conference 2025, organized by the Pakistan Ulema Council, the minister clarified that Saudi Arabia’s Hajj policy applies uniformly to all countries. “If the Saudi government grants any relaxation to other countries, then our remaining applicants will also have the opportunity to perform Hajj,” he said.
“Pakistani pilgrims will also be given due consideration if any concession is accorded to other countries regarding the extension of the deadline,” he added.
Sardar Yousuf explained that it was due to the efforts of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and the matter taken up by himself and Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, that the Saudi government agreed to accommodate an additional 10,000 intending pilgrims from Pakistan after the February 14th deadline.
However, he clarified that there was no increase in the overall quota of 179,210 for Pakistan. Initially, Saudi authorities had indicated a quota of 102,000, but due to their efforts, they were granted an additional 10,000 seats, he clarified.
He assured that applicants unable to perform Hajj would receive a refund of their money, which was paid in advance to Hajj operators to secure accommodation in Makkah, Madina, and Mina.
Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi and a large number of private Hajj operators also attended the event. Hafiz Tahir noted that, regardless of who is responsible, it is a stark reality that Pakistan’s 67,000 Hajj quota had lapsed for the first time in the country’s history.
However, he pointed out that the prime minister had already established a committee to identify those responsible for the negligence.
He demanded that the prime minister take action against those responsible for shattering the dreams of 67,000 Pakistani faithful.
Lauding King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for ensuring excellent Hajj arrangements every year, he appealed to them to personally address the matter, enabling Pakistan to utilize the remaining quota of pilgrims. “This is our fault that we could not adapt to the new Saudi policy and failed to make timely arrangements,” he said.
Reading out the code of conduct for Hajj 2025, Tahir Ashrafi advised the pilgrims to refrain from engaging in political activities and debates, and to remain fully focused on prayers during their stay in the Holy Land.
He also asked them to strictly adhere to the laws and rules set by the Saudi organizers, who make excellent arrangements for millions of pilgrims from around the world each year.
Meanwhile, the Hajj Organizers Association of Pakistan (HOAP), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter, appealed to the Saudi crown prince to intervene in resolving the current visa processing issues that have jeopardized thousands of Pakistani pilgrims.
Speaking at a press conference, representatives of the association said that the Hajj season was rapidly approaching, but the Saudi visa processing system remained inaccessible to Pakistani organizers.
They explained that the official portal was used to send records and data of intending Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, which was necessary for visa issuance.
However, due to recent changes in the system and delays by Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs in granting timely permissions, the required data could not be submitted by the February 14th deadline.
The organizers expressed deep concern, stating that nearly 77,000 Pakistani pilgrims were facing uncertainty and distress.
They requested His Royal Highness to assist during this critical time and allow all Pakistani pilgrims to perform Hajj.
The speakers added that an estimated 2.67 billion Saudi riyals had already been transferred from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia for accommodation and related arrangements of the intending Hajj pilgrims.
Additionally, Rs22.5 billion had been spent on airfare, Rs1.58 billion on taxes, and approximately Rs1.75 billion in service charges were being collected by Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. The association urged authorities to resolve the issue to ensure the participation of all registered pilgrims in Hajj 2025.
