ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Wednesday it had tightened regulations for private Hajj operators for the 2026 pilgrimage after thousands of pilgrims were unable to travel last year, as the government moved to curb mismanagement and ensure refunds for affected applicants.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf told the media in Islamabad that the private Hajj quota had been reduced and an investigation carried out on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s instructions.

The announcement came even as Pakistan received Saudi Arabia’s “Excellence Award” for its overall arrangements during Hajj 2025, while authorities said they had refunded Rs 3.5 billion ($12.5 million) to pilgrims who performed Hajj in 2025.

“Last year, 60,000 pilgrims were unable to perform Hajj under the private Hajj scheme, prompting the Prime Minister to order inquiries,” Yousuf said. “Consequently, the private Hajj quota has been reduced this year.”

He said private operators had been directed to prioritize pilgrims who were left behind last year and had yet to receive refunds, adding that full refunds would also be ensured for pilgrims unable to travel on medical grounds or under the hardship quota.

Yousuf said the government had expanded the “Pak Hajj App” and extended Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative to Karachi to reduce travel and immigration difficulties for pilgrims.

He added that new regulations for Umrah and religious travel were being finalized to protect pilgrims from exploitation by private operators and to fully digitize the system.

The minister also said women who were confident of performing Hajj and Umrah without a male guardian could do so, with separate groups now being formed, while certificates would be mandatory for women traveling alone.

Responding to another question, Yousuf said no member of parliament or standing committee was being provided free Hajj or Umrah by the ministry, adding that all officials would bear their own expenses.