ISLAMABAD: The ministry of religious affairs said on Tuesday only 23,620 Pakistani pilgrims would be performing Hajj under the private scheme this year.
The annual Islamic pilgrimage is expected to take place this year in June. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Hajj Agreement 2025 in January, under which Pakistan was given a quota of 179,210 for the pilgrimage this year. The quota is divided equally between government and private schemes.
Nearly 90,000 Pakistanis are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme this year.
“General public is hereby informed that only 23,620 pilgrims will be able to perform Hajj under the Private Hajj Scheme from Pakistan this year 2025,” the religious affairs ministry said in a statement.
“The list of service providers providing services with the Hajj 2025 quota has been updated on the website of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony and the Pak Hajj App.”
The ministry urged pilgrims who had made bookings with registered service providers to check the status of their application and contract on the ministry’s website.
“All organizing/service provider companies are directed to provide updated contract (Hajj Form) to Hajj pilgrims as per the approved quota of Hajj 2025 and ensure the process of issuing Hajj visas to pilgrims by April 18 as per the instructions of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the ministry added.
Hajj flight operations will begin from Apr. 29 when the first flight will depart from Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a three-member inquiry committee to probe why Pakistan had failed to use the whole 179,210 quota for Hajj 2025.
23,620 Pakistani pilgrims to perform Hajj under private scheme this year — ministry
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23,620 Pakistani pilgrims to perform Hajj under private scheme this year — ministry
- Pakistan was given a quota of 179,210 for the pilgrimage this year
- Nearly 90,000 Pakistanis to perform Hajj 2025 under government scheme
Pakistan, Iran resolve to strengthen trade cooperation, work for regional peace
- Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar speaks to Iranian counterpart Seyyed Abbas Araghchi
- Pakistan, Iran have attempted to enhance bilateral trade to $10 billion in recent years
ISLAMABAD: The foreign ministers of Iran and Pakistan vowed on Sunday to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, connectivity, various other sectors and work for regional peace, the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement.
Pakistan and Iran have attempted to enhance bilateral trade and commerce in recent years. The two neighbors have set up border markets and discussed barter trade to get around banking and currency restrictions.
Sanctions and foreign exchange shortages remain key hurdles for Iran, making barter systems and cross-border markets central to its trade strategy with Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, spoke to Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi over the phone on Sunday during which the two discussed regional developments.
“Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in trade, connectivity and people-to-people ties, and reiterated their resolve to work closely together for regional peace and development,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.
Pakistan and Iran have attempted to enhance bilateral trade to $10 billion. However, apart from sanctions and foreign exchange shortages, ties between the two countries remain complicated due to security issues.
Pakistan and Iran have remained at odds over instability along their shared, porous border that even led to a missile exchange between them in 2024. Both countries, however, were quick to move to ease tensions.
Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian visited Pakistan in August this year, during which the two countries signed agreements to enhance bilateral trade to $10 billion by 2028.
Both countries have also consistently criticized Israel for its war on Gaza and repeated violations of a fragile ceasefire brokered by world powers, including the US.
