Govt vows to provide best arrangements to Hajj pilgrims

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, underlined the government’s commitment to providing a seamless and well-organized Hajj experience for Pakistani pilgrims this year.

Addressing the Hajj Conference, he stated that he took over the ministry barely a month ago and was personally charged by the prime minister to provide the finest possible Hajj arrangements.

“I traveled to Saudi Arabia myself to personally review the preparations,” Minister Yousaf stated. “During my visit, I realized that a significant number of intending pilgrims were still awaiting confirmation.”

He emphasized that, via combined efforts with Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, they attempted to restore a quota of 67,000 pilgrims. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also played an important part in these efforts.

Minister Yousaf revealed that, owing to the efforts of the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Pakistan has been awarded an additional quota of 10,000 pilgrims. “Initially, Saudi authorities had indicated a quota of 102,000, but upon my request to reconsider sympathetically, they granted us an additional 10,000 slots,” he added.

He stated that the new quota was explicitly provided to private Hajj operators and warned against spreading disinformation about future quota increases. “Some people are talking about an even larger increase, but that is not accurate.”

Addressing worries about pilgrims who missed Saudi deadlines, the minister offered hope, saying, “If Saudi Arabia accepts pilgrims from other countries who missed deadlines, Pakistani pilgrims will undoubtedly be accommodated.”

He highlighted that any policy changes will apply equally to all nations, including Pakistan. “If pilgrims from other countries are permitted to perform Hajj despite missing deadlines, Pakistanis will not be left behind,”.