Good News for the Pakistani Hajj Pilgrims
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The Ministry of Religious Affairs in Pakistan has requested private Hajj operators to provide their input on enhancing Hajj operations and implementing new Saudi guidelines aimed at reducing the number of pilgrims per company.
This request was made during a meeting between Caretaker Religious Affairs Minister Aneeq Ahmed and representatives from the Hajj Organizers Association of Pakistan (HOAP), which also included senior ministry officials. Pakistan has been allocated a preliminary quota of 179,210 pilgrims by Saudi authorities for the upcoming Hajj, and the ministry is considering an earlier start to the Hajj process for improved management.
Private tour operators will handle 60 percent of the pilgrim quota, while the remaining 40 percent will be managed through the government scheme. The ministry spokesperson, Muhammad Umer Butt, stated that the religious affairs minister urged private Hajj operators to provide suggestions for enhancing the pilgrimage experience and complying with the new Saudi instructions, which limit the number of pilgrims per company to between 2,000 and 3,000.
Representatives from HOAP committed to presenting proposals aligned with the new Saudi instructions. The meeting also covered various topics, including facilities provided by Saudi companies during the pilgrimage, the sponsorship Hajj scheme, and service visas. The minister praised the exemplary services offered by most private Hajj group operators and welcomed suggestions for improving the pilgrimage experience. Currently, 901 Hajj companies are registered with the ministry.
Muhammad Sanaullah Ahmed, senior vice-chairman of HOAP, noted that Saudi Arabia's expansion of partnerships with Hajj operators in South Asia has intensified competition, resulting in enhanced facilities for pilgrims.
