Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has raised alarms over the slow pace of Hajj 2026 bookings under the private scheme, warning that thousands of pilgrims could miss the opportunity if operators fail to accelerate the process ahead of looming deadlines.
The ministry, in a written directive to private Hajj operators, expressed “serious concern” over the sluggish response, urging organizers to expedite applications and ensure timely deposits of dues.
According to official sources, the booking portal opened on September 19, but only 1,800 applications have been received in the past week. The ministry fears this delay could leave many intending pilgrims unable to secure their places, repeating last year’s shortfall.
In its letter, the ministry reminded organizers that under the Hajj Policy 2026, the deadline for depositing dues through designated banks is October 17, 2025, while the final list of pilgrims must be submitted by October 22. It emphasized the need for strict compliance to avoid administrative complications.
The quota for private operators has already been reduced from 90,000 to 60,000 for 2026. Last year, around 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims were unable to perform Hajj under the private scheme, prompting the government to direct operators to also accommodate 22,097 of those who missed out.
For the upcoming pilgrimage, private operators have been allocated 37,903 slots. However, with only 1,800 seats filled so far, more than 36,000 remain vacant. The ministry cautioned that unless bookings accelerate rapidly, a significant number of pilgrims may once again be deprived of performing Hajj.
The ministry underlined the urgency of the situation, calling for immediate action to ensure smooth arrangements and prevent another year of disruption.
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