More than Rs36 billion paid by 67,000 Pakistanis for Hajj through private organizers is now at risk, after the failure to secure visas due to missed deadlines on Saudi Arabia’s official Hajj portal. Organizers say the money has already been spent on bookings and services in Saudi Arabia.

Several news outlets, including Aaj News reported recently that as many as 67,000 Pakistanis may miss the Hajj this year, but latest information received from various sources paints a bleak picture.

Funds paid, but no visas issued

Private Hajj organizers claim that the 480 million Saudi Riyals (approximately Rs36 billion) collected from pilgrims has been transferred abroad and partially used to pay for hotel bookings, food, and other logistical services in Makkah and Madinah. However, due to a failure to submit required details on Saudi Arabia’s digital Hajj portal before the February 14 deadline, the visas for 67,000 intending pilgrims were never issued.

These individuals had paid months in advance, but are now at risk of missing Hajj and losing their money. Only 23,000 out of nearly 90,000 private applicants were able to get their details uploaded and receive visas.

Organizers cite government delays and forex restrictions

The private operators argue that they were only granted permission by Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs on January 10 to begin arrangements in Saudi Arabia—a little over a month before the portal deadline.

In addition, they say the State Bank’s daily cap on foreign currency transfers significantly delayed the remittance of funds needed to secure hotel rooms and other services. This double bind left organizers unable to complete bookings in time to meet the Saudi government’s digital requirements.

A private Hajj organizer told BBC Urdu, “There wasn’t enough time. We had started booking hotels and services, but payments couldn’t be completed. Now the portal is closed, and our clients are without visas.”

Billions at risk, with no clear path to refunds

The core concern now is financial: the Rs36 billion paid by affected pilgrims may not be recoverable. Organizers admit that much of the money has already been spent—often in partial payments that are unlikely to be refunded.

Some operators, in desperation, have said they may not be able to repay pilgrims even if they liquidate personal assets. “Our own capital is also stuck. If the visas aren’t issued, we’ll be left with no way to pay people back,” said one organizer.

The fragmented nature of the payments adds complexity—some buildings were paid for but catering wasn’t; in other cases, meals were arranged but accommodation payments fell through. Without full packages, the Saudi portal rejected many applications.

No issue for government Hajj scheme pilgrims

The fallout appears limited to private Hajj arrangements. The 90,000 individuals traveling under the official government Hajj scheme are unaffected and will proceed as planned.

With only weeks left before Hajj season begins, the fate of the Rs36 billion—and of the thousands of disappointed pilgrims—remains uncertain.