ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal cabinet on Friday approved a new private Hajj policy that overhauls the regulation of pilgrimage operators, following last year’s private Hajj crisis that left tens of thousands of Pakistanis unable to perform the pilgrimage despite booking through private companies.
The reforms are aimed at tightening oversight of private Hajj operators and increasing transparency after around 67,000 Pakistanis missed Hajj 2025. The crisis emerged after many operators failed to complete payments, contracts and other requirements within Saudi deadlines.
The episode triggered a government inquiry ordered by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, parliamentary scrutiny and widespread criticism of both private operators and the regulatory framework overseeing them.
“The federal cabinet has approved the Private Hajj Policy 2027-2030,” the religious affairs ministry said in a statement.
“A performance- and compliance-based system has been introduced for private Hajj in place of the quota system,” it added. “The re-evaluation of existing Hajj operators has been made mandatory.”
Under the new policy, each operator will be required to secure bookings for at least 2,000 pilgrims, a move aimed at encouraging financially and operationally viable companies while discouraging smaller firms that may struggle to meet Saudi regulatory requirements.
The statement said companies failing to meet the threshold will be declared inactive.
The policy also introduces independent assessments and rankings of all Hajj companies by external experts, while licenses will be issued for three-year periods.
The ministry said private Hajj operations would be shifted entirely to a digital system designed to strengthen oversight and reduce the risk of mismanagement.
“Private Hajj operations will be conducted entirely through a digital system,” the statement said.
“Hajj companies will not be able to hold pilgrims’ funds. Payments to Saudi service providers will be made directly, while all Hajj-related payments in Saudi Arabia will be routed through the State Bank’s official account,” it added.
The ministry said the reforms would improve transparency, accountability and pilgrim protection while aligning Pakistan’s private Hajj system with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms.
