Islamabad:
The Minister of Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, said on Thursday that law 2024 recently approved in Hajj and Omra (regulation) would be strictly applied to guarantee that no one uses the sacred pilgrimage, in particular by sending beggars in the form of pilgrims.
Addressing the pre-launching ceremony of the third exhibition of Pakistan Hajj and OMRA 2025, the Minister recalled that in the past, some individuals had abused religious journeys by resorting to begging in Saudi Arabia, which tarnished the reputation of the country. “It will no longer be tolerated,” he said.
Yousaf stressed that pilgrims serve as ambassadors from Pakistan and must strictly observe Saudi laws while fulfilling their religious duties. “Hajj is both an act of physical and financial worship, not a recreational or business trip,” he noted.
By reflecting on his 2013-2018 mandate, the Minister said that major reforms had been introduced, including the abolition of several Hajj categories in favor of a single transparent program, which has helped to resolve numerous complaints. He added that five Hajj operations had been successfully carried out under his direction.
The Minister declared in accordance with Islamic financial principles, the ministry had previously decided to deposit the funds of pilgrims in an account in accordance with Sharia law after consulting the famous scholar Maulana Taqi Usmani.
He said the federal office has already approved Hajj 2026 policy, allocating 70% quota to the government plan and 30% to the private regime.
