Saudi Hajj policy applies to all countries: minister

• Applicants assured refunds by religious affairs ministry.
• Pakistan’s 67,000 Hajj quota has lapsed for the first time.
• Hujjaj advised to refrain from indulging in political activities.
  

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf on Monday said that Pakistani pilgrims would be provided with excellent arrangements for Hajj, but stopped short of giving any firm commitment regarding the fate of the country’s 67,000 lapsed quota under the private Hajj scheme, The News reported.

Speaking at the National Hajj Conference 2025, organised by the Pakistan Ulema Council, the minister stated that Saudi Arabia’s Hajj policy applies uniformly to all countries. “If the Saudi government gives any relaxation to other countries then our remaining applicants will also get an opportunity to perform Hajj,” he said.

“Pakistani pilgrims will also be given due consideration if any concession is accorded to other countries regarding extension of the deadline”, he added.

Sardar Yousuf said 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 another 10,000 intending pilgrims from Pakistan after the deadline of February 14.

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 our efforts, they granted us an additional 10,000 seats, he clarified

However, he assured that applicants not able to perform Hajj would get 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 whosoever is responsible, it is a bitter 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 constituted a committee to identify those responsible for the negligence.

He demanded that the prime minister act against those who are 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 look into the matter, enabling Pakistan to avail the remaining quota of Hujjaj. “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 the Hajj-2025, Tahir Ashrafi advised the Hujjaj to refrain from indulging in political activities and debates while remaining fully focused on praying during their stay at the Holy land.

He also asked them to strictly follow laws and rules as set by the Saudi organisers, who every year make excellent arrangements for millions of pilgrims coming from across the world.

Meanwhile, the Hajj Organisers Association of Pakistan (HOAP), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter, has appealed to the Saudi crown prince to intervene in resolving the current visa processing issues that have placed thousands of Pakistani pilgrims in jeopardy.

Speaking at a press conference, representatives of the association said that the Hajj season was fast approaching, but the Saudi visa processing system remained inaccessible to Pakistani organisers.

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 14 deadline.

The organisers expressed deep concern, stating that nearly 77,000 Pakistani pilgrims were facing uncertainty and distress.

They requested His Royal Highness to help in 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 Hajjj pilgrims.

Additionally, Rs22.5 billion have been spent on airfare, Rs1.58 billion on taxes, and approximately Rs1.75 billion in service charges are 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 Hajjj 2025.