ISLAMABAD: Religious Affairs Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain reached Makkah on Sunday to review Hajj 2024 arrangements, the religion ministry said, as Pakistani pilgrims continue to arrive in Saudi Arabia ahead of the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime if they are financially and physically able.
Pakistani pilgrims have been arriving in Madinah since May 9 when Pakistan launched its pre-Hajj flight operations. At least 22,696 Pakistani pilgrims have since arrived in Madinah through 93 flights, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) said in a statement.
Hussain, who arrived in Madinah earlier this week to inspect Hajj arrangements, reached Makkah on Sunday to hold important meetings with Saudi officials and gauge preparations for the Islamic pilgrimage.
“Chaudhry Salik Hussain will visit Saudi institutions, catering companies, and residences of Hajj pilgrims today, Sunday,” MoRA said in a statement.
It added the minister would visit the Pakistan Hajj Mission in Makkah’s office after performing Umrah.
Pakistan’s religion ministry said over 11,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims visited the “Riazul Jannah” in Madinah, a small space between the pulpit and the grave of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, of which 63,805 people will perform the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest will use private tour operators. This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14-19.
Pakistani religion minister arrives in Makkah to review Hajj 2024 arrangements
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Pakistani religion minister arrives in Makkah to review Hajj 2024 arrangements
- Chaudhry Salik Hussain to visit Saudi institutions, catering companies and residences of Hajj pilgrims today, says religion ministry
- At least 22,696 Pakistani pilgrims arrived in Madinah via 93 flights since April 9 when Pakistan started pre-Hajj flight operations
Minister says Pakistan’s Hajj 2026 policy ‘effective,’ in line with Saudi guidelines
- A large portion of the Pakistan’s private Hajj quota for 2025 remained unutilized due to delays by tour operators
- While the government fulfilled its full allocation, private operators attributed the shortfall to technical issues
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has said the government formulated an “effective” Hajj Policy 2026 that is in accordance with guidelines issued by Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan approved the Hajj 2026 policy in July, under which the country has a quota of 179,210 pilgrims. Of which, around 120,000 seats have been allocated for the government scheme and the rest for private tour operators.
The government ensured digitization of Hajj services, electronic monitoring and complaint system, long and short duration Hajj packages, and prioritizing those who could not perform the pilgrimage under the private scheme last year.
Speaking to the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster, Yousaf said that the government is trying to expand the “Route to Makkah” facility to Lahore. The initiative allows pilgrims to complete travel formalities at their departure airports.
“Training for the 2026 Hajj is currently underway across the country, with mandatory sessions being conducted in various districts,” the minister was quoted as saying.
A large portion of the Pakistan’s private Hajj quota for 2025 remained unutilized due to delays by tour operators in meeting payment and registration deadlines, while the government fulfilled its full allocation of over 88,000 pilgrims.
Private operators had attributed the shortfall to technical issues, including payment processing problems and communication breakdowns.
Pakistan this month also requested Saudi Arabia to increase its Hajj quota in proportion to the country’s population of 240 million, Radio Pakistan reported.
“Pakistan has formally requested the Saudi government to increase its Hajj quota to 230,000, in proportion to the country’s population, to allow more people to undertake the pilgrimage,” Yousaf was quoted as saying.
