Pakistan appeals for Saudi 'compassion' as thousands to miss Hajj

Pakistani officials overseeing the annual Hajj pilgrimage have appealed to Saudi authorities to show “special compassion” by allowing thousands of aspiring pilgrims to perform Hajj this year.

“I have come to know that a large number of pilgrims are likely to be deprived of the privilege of Hajj this time,” Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said Monday at the Hajj Conference in Islamabad.

Yousaf said he, along with Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Allama Tahir Ashrafi, had tried to restore the Hajj quota for 67,000 private applicants who were declined. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also made efforts, but to no avail, officials said.

Many Pakistani Hajj organizers reportedly misunderstood the Feb. 14 deadline, struggled with the Hajj app, and faced challenges transferring funds from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia.

“We are grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for extending the quota by 10,000, but 67,000 pilgrims are still outside the Hajj system and in great distress,” Yousaf said.

'Bitter reality'

Ashrafi said many pilgrims from Nigeria, Pakistan and Bangladesh were left behind this year. “What is happening this year is a bitter reality,” he said. “It was promised that all arrangements would be completed by Feb. 14, but we failed. Whoever is at fault — the ministry or the Hajj operators — should be held accountable.”

Yousaf noted that Pakistani tour operators sent money to Saudi Arabia, but the payments were delayed. He said he had taken charge of the ministry only a month ago and traveled to Saudi Arabia personally to review Hajj preparations.

“If the Saudi government grants an extension to pilgrims from other Muslim countries who missed the deadline, Pakistanis will benefit as well,” he added.

Officials also assured that any payments made by Pakistani pilgrims and transferred to Saudi Arabia will be refunded.

Code of conduct for Hajj

The Hajj Conference 2025, organized by the Pakistan Ulema Council, the International Council for the Veneration of the Two Holy Mosques, and the International Religious Tourism Council, called on pilgrims to fully comply with the code of conduct issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

They warned against political activities, begging, or carrying drugs during Hajj, reminding pilgrims to respect Saudi laws and the sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques.

Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Ministry announced that 23,620 pilgrims will be able to perform Hajj under the private scheme this year.

Pilgrims can apply for Hajj through private tour companies or under the government-run scheme.

Some 179,210 Pakistanis are expected to perform Hajj this year.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and millions of Muslims around the world aspire to perform it at least once in their lifetime if physically and financially able.