Islamabad:
There is an imminent risk that Pakistan Hajj’s private operators can lose a share of more than 77,000 pilgrims due to the breach of Saudi regulations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken note of the problem and has initiated efforts to avoid loss, while ordered the formation of a committee to identify those responsible for poor management.
The sources revealed that the Saudi government had informed Pakistan in 2023 of its decision to rationalize Hajj’s operations by limiting contracts to less larger companies, each with a minimum quota of 2,000 pilgrims. Although the Ministry of Religious Affairs intervened at that time to provide temporary relief to smaller operators, it was also clear that companies that manage at least 200 pilgrims after the merger could operate in the future.
In 2024, the Ministry issued an announcement that invites more companies to request the Hajj fee. However, Hajj tourist operators challenged this in the Super Court of Sindh, ensuring a suspension order that remains in force.
This year, the Saudi authorities required that Hajj’s private operators complete reservations and payments for mine accommodation before February 14. In spite of this, only around 12,500 reserves were completed through the Saudi portal designated before it was closed, leaving the remaining 77,000 slots in Limbo. Hajj’s private quota for Pakistan was 89,801 pilgrims.
The lack of compliance with the quota has led Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take urgent measures. He has formed a committee of three members headed by the sectarian of the Cabinet Division, which has been responsible for determining the responsibility of the period in three days. The members of the Committee include the Secretary of Religious Affairs, Dr. Attaur Rehman, president of FBR and chief secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The sources also revealed that the Saudi government has refused to extend the deadline for Hajj’s private agreements. The agreement between Pakistani private operators, the Saudi Ministry and the Hajj Mission of Pakistan were signed on December 10, the Government allowed private tourist operators to transfer funds to Saudi Arabia from January 10 for Hajj 2025. Saudi Arabia had established February 14 as the reserve deadline for the facilities of the Perenriz de Hajj.
The sources declared that the efforts of the Ministry of Religious Affairs were not successful since the Saudi authorities did not respond.
