A failure to comply with Saudi Arabia’s requirements has resulted in the private Hajj quota being underutilized, leaving at least 77,000 potential pilgrims without the opportunity to perform Hajj this year. In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into the matter.

An investigative committee, headed by the Secretary of the Cabinet Division, held a meeting where Secretary of Religious Affairs Dr. Ata-ur-Rehman briefed the committee.

During the briefing, it was revealed that private Hajj operators had violated agreements, leading to the booking of only 12,500 out of the 89,801 allocated slots. As a result, 77,000 pilgrims will miss the opportunity to undertake the sacred journey.

It was also explained that Saudi Arabia had refused to extend the deadline for the agreement, which the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs had requested in hopes of extending the booking deadline.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia ink Hajj 2025 agreement

A contract between private Hajj operators, the Saudi Ministry, and the Pakistan Hajj Mission had been signed on December 10. The government allowed tour operators to transfer funds to Saudi Arabia starting January 10, with Saudi Arabia setting a final booking deadline for February 14.

Under the annual Hajj agreement 2025 between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Hajj this year.

Hajj flights from Pakistan likely to begin on May 1