MINISTER for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that as many Pakistani pilgrims as possible are able to perform Hajj this year.
Speaking on a television programme, he further stated that after engaging with his Saudi counterpart and with the support of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Pakistan succeeded in securing an additional 10,000 private Hajj slots.
The Minister’s assurance offers a sense of relief to the aspiring pilgrims who were uncertain about their travel arrangements after a notification suggested that only 23,620 people would be able to perform Hajj privately—leaving a large portion of the quota unaccounted for.
The intervention at the highest level, including negotiations in Saudi Arabia and diplomatic engagement, is commendable and shows the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ proactive approach to fulfilling the Hajj aspirations of Pakistanis.
Undoubtedly, MORA has steadily improved arrangements for Pakistani Hujjaj in the holy land with each passing year.
Better accommodation, logistical support and on-ground assistance have become a defining feature of government-led Hajj operations.
That said, the financial burden of Hajj remains a pressing issue for the average Pakistani.
For most, Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and its cost is making it increasingly difficult for middle- and lower-income people to undertake this spiritual obligation.
It is, therefore, crucial that every possible effort be made to reduce the cost of Hajj under the government scheme.
While the Ministry does send facilitation staff to Saudi Arabia, a thorough review should be conducted to rationalize this deployment.
Only essential personnel should be sent to avoid unnecessary expenditures.
Likewise, exploring structural changes such as reducing the standard package duration from forty days to thirty could lead to significant cost savings.
Additionally, the recent failure of the private Hajj sector to meet the Saudi-set deadlines is a serious concern.
The idea of handing over the entire Hajj quota to private operators should be reconsidered and ultimately abandoned.
The government’s continued involvement is essential to ensure a smoother more organized and fulfilling Hajj experience for pilgrims.
