Pakistan hails Hajj 2025 a success despite private pilgrims missing out

Pakistan’s religious affairs minister on Tuesday described the country’s 2025 Hajj mission as a “success,” even as tens of thousands of private-scheme pilgrims were reportedly unable to participate in the annual pilgrimage.

At a post-Hajj press conference in Makkah, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said that Pakistani pilgrims received “exceptional” services and facilities this year, calling the operation “historic.”

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah awarded the Pakistan Hajj Mission its Excellence Award for best Hajj arrangements, ranking Pakistan first among seven recognized missions. Yousuf described the award as “an honor.”

According to officials, more than 115,000 Pakistani pilgrims traveled to Saudi Arabia this year.

Upgrades to accommodation, services

The Pakistani government introduced several upgrades to accommodations and services, including air-conditioned tents with sofa beds and gypsum partitions in Mina, shaded corridors in Arafat, and a new meal program that offered three daily meals, snacks, ice cream, and cold water.

Yousuf said additional air conditioning units were installed in Arafat tents, and 56% of Pakistani pilgrims were accommodated in Old Mina, with the remaining 44% in New Mina.

To address flight disruptions caused by regional conflict, the government coordinated with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to ensure timely travel. About 73% of pilgrims were transported to Mina via train, with the rest traveling in air-conditioned buses as part of a 16-hour operation involving more than 1,100 buses.

The minister said the cost of Pakistan’s official Hajj package was lower than that of other countries in the region, while services had improved. In Medina, pilgrims were housed in three- and five-star hotels close to the Prophet’s Mosque and were provided the opportunity to visit Riyadh al-Jannah, Prophet Muhammad's final resting place.

Food services were provided by 22 catering companies in Makkah and 13 in Medina, with Pakistani chefs preparing traditional meals. A new “Nazim Scheme” assigned one group leader for every 188 pilgrims to improve coordination. Medical services were offered by a team of 400 health workers.

Despite the government’s claims of success, criticism has mounted over the exclusion of 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims who had registered under the private Hajj scheme.