Lapse of Pakistan’s 67,000 quota: Saudi govt's Haj policy applies to all states, says minister

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf on Monday promised excellent arrangement for Pakistani pilgrims but fell short of giving any certain assurance to avert lapse of Pakistan’s 67,000 quota from the private Hajj scheme.

Addressing the National Hajj Conference-2025, organised by Pakistan Ulema Council, the minister said that Saudi government’s hajj policy applies to all the countries. “If the Saudi government gives any relaxation to other countries then our remaining applicants will also get an opportunity to perform Hajj.

“Pakistani pilgrims will also be given due consideration if any concession is accorded to other countries regarding extension of the deadline”, he added.

Sardar Yousuf said that it was due to efforts of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and matter taken up by himself and Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi that the Saudi government agreed to accommodate another 10,000 intending pilgrims from Pakistan after the deadline of February 14.

However, he clarified that there was no increase in overall quota of 179,210 for Pakistan. Initially, Saudi authorities had indicated a quota of 102,000, but due to our efforts, they granted us an additional 10,000 seats,” he clarified

However, he assured that applicants not able to perform Hajj would get refund of their money which paid in advance to Hajj operators to secure accommodation in Makka, Madina and Mina.

Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi and a large of private Hajj operators also attended the event. Hafiz Tahir noted that whosoever is responsible, it is bitter reality that Pakistan’s 67,000 Hajj quota had lapsed for the first time in country’s history.

However, he pointed that the prime minister had already constituted a committee to identify those responsible for the negligence.

He demanded the prime minister act against those responsible who are responsible for shattering dreams of 67,000 Pakistani faithful.

Lauding King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for ensuring excellent Hajj arrangements every year, he appealed them to personally look into the matter enabling Pakistan to avail remaining quota of Hujjaj. “This is our fault that we could not adapt to the new Saudi policy and failed to make timely arrangements,” he said.

Reading out code of conduct for the Hajj-2025, Tahir Ashrafi advised the Hujjaj to refrain from indulging in political activities and debates while remaining fully focused on praying during their stay at the Holy land.

He also asked them to strictly follow laws and rules as set by the Saudi organisers who every year make excellent arrangements for millions of pilgrims coming from across the world.

Meanwhile, Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malikiy has dashed to his capital Riyadh for resolving intending Hajj pilgrims’ issue.

A three-member committee, headed by Federal Secretary for Cabinet Division Kamran Afzal, and comprising Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Chaudhary Rashid Mahmood Langrial and Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmad Mirza, was constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif early this month with the direction to submit its report within three days. However, no outcome of the probe has been shared with the affected pilgrims.

Sources reminded that PKR36 billion, collected from intending pilgrims, had stuck up in Saudi Arabia, with the Saudi government without a word about the fate of the money. The officials suggested adjusting the money for next year’s pilgrimage.

The delay in approving Pakistan’s Hajj Policy 2025 prevented private operators from submitting applications on time. Although the funds were transferred to Saudi Arabia, and failure to coordinate timely with Saudi authorities resulted in the fiasco. The lack of prompt communication and coordination with the Saudi government further exacerbated the issue.

The relevant Senate committee urged Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif last week to take up the matter personally with the Saudi high-ups. The sources hinted that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the Saudi ambassador at his mission in diplomatic enclave and he too discussed this matter besides other subjects.

The ambassador left for Riyadh the following day, and he is likely to return on Monday next. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia inked the annual Haj agreement in January this year under which 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims were allowed to perform Hajj, with around 90,000 intending pilgrims availing the government’s scheme. A notification from the Ministry of Religious Affairs earlier this week maintained that only 23,620 pilgrims would be allowed to perform Hajj privately, raising questions about the fate of the remaining 67,000 intending pilgrims up in the air.