Members of the Hajj & Umrah Organisers Association Pakistan have made a startling revelation in the ongoing Hajj controversy — potentially involving around 67,000 intending pilgrims who have not been issued Saudi visas and risk not only missing the Hajj but also losing money.

During a press conference in Peshawar, Kamran Zaib, a representative of the organisers, disclosed that Hajj organizers had transferred over 2.5 billion Saudi Riyal (SAR) to Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, it was reported that SAR480 million (PKR36 billion) collected from intending pilgrims had been transferred to Saudi Arabia and paid for various service including hotels.

However, Kamran Zaib revealed that the amount stood at SAR2.67 billion (nearly PKRs200 billion) and included money from both intending pilgrims and the organizers. Some of the organizers sent money to Saudi Arabia believing they would collect it from the pilgrims later, he said.

Kamran Zaib also said money collected from overseas Pakistanis, who formed 30 percent of the nearly 89,000 pilgrims, also included in the amount.

Kamran Zaib said Rs220 million had been paid in advance tax to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and another Rs1.58 billion had been transferred to the Ministry of Religious Affairs. He stressed that despite meeting all official requirements, the government has failed to provide any clear process for the return of collected funds.

Funds accepted beyond deadline, questions raised

Zaib further stated that even after the February 14 deadline, payments continued to be accepted. “If the deadline had passed, why were funds still being collected?” he questioned.

He said private Hajj organisers faced a daily cap of Rs300,000 for the transfer of money to Saudi Arabia and since they were given only a small window between January 10 and February 14 to make payments in Saudi Arabia, it was not possible for them to transfer all the amount.

Another organiser, Abid Awan, added that the cap meant it would take 45 days to transfer all the money but they were given only 13 days to complete arrangements, after which all responsibility was pinned on them. “Our hands and feet were tied, and then we were blamed,” he said, criticizing the authorities’ handling of the situation.

Organisers appeal to Army Chief and Prime Minister

At the conclusion of the press conference, the organisers appealed directly to the Army Chief and Prime Minister to intervene and resolve the crisis. They urged the leadership to safeguard the funds deposited by pilgrims, particularly those from overseas, and ensure accountability for the mismanagement.