In the wake of serious administrative gaps that prevented more than 67,000 potential pilgrims from executing Hajj this year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the Ministry of Religious Affairs to immediately start planning and logistical preparations for HAJJ 2026.
Chairing a high -level exam meeting on Saturday in Islamabad on Saturday, the Prime Minister declared that such a negligence would not be tolerated in the future and asked the ministry to develop a complete roadmap aligned with the Hajj’s policy of the Saudi Kingdom.
“Serving pilgrims from Hajj is a sacred responsibility. Any negligence in this regard next year will be unacceptable,” said the Prime Minister during the meeting.
Learn more: ‘Private hajj quota’ lost due to negligence
In 2025, Saudi Arabia had allocated a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims in Pakistan, traditionally divided uniformly between the government and the operators of the private Hajj. However, delays and mismanagement in the satisfaction of procedural requirements have led to the underuse of the quota, in particular in the private sector.
Consequently, the share of the private sector increased from 89,801 locations allocated to only 25,698, leaving more than 67,000 pilgrims unable to travel.
The forfeiture prompted the Prime Minister to form an inquiry committee of three members in April to investigate the non-compliance with the policy of the Hajj kingdom.
To avoid a rehearsal of this year’s debacle, the Prime Minister has ordered that early and detailed provisions be taken, including immediate coordination with the Saudi authorities. He also instructed the regularization of the Hajj’s private regime to ensure better surveillance and compliance.
He also ordered that the presentation of an action plan shortly after the Hajj period for the coming year was determined.
The meeting was followed by the federal ministers Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and Musadik Malik, as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and other relevant departments. An official action plan should be submitted soon.
