Haj organisers ask Saudi govt to resolve visa processing issue

PESHAWAR: The Haj Organisers Association of Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter, has appealed to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to intervene in resolving the current visa processing issues that have placed thousands of Pakistani pilgrims in jeopardy.

Speaking at a press conference, representatives of the association said that the Haj season was fast approaching, but the Saudi visa processing system remained inaccessible to Pakistani organisers.

They explained that the official portal was used to send records and data of intending Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, which was necessary for visa issuance.

However, due to recent changes in the system and delays by Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs in granting timely permissions, the required data could not be submitted by the February 14 deadline.

The organisers expressed deep concern, stating that nearly 77,000 Pakistani pilgrims were facing uncertainty and distress.

They requested His Royal Highness to help us in this critical time and allow all Pakistani pilgrims to perform Hajj.

The speakers added that an estimated 2.67 billion Saudi riyals had already been transferred from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia for accommodation and related arrangements of the intending Hajj pilgrims.

Additionally, Rs22.5 billion have been spent on airfare, Rs1.58 billion on taxes, and approximately Rs1.75 billion in service charges are being collected by Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. The association urged authorities to resolve the issue to ensure the participation of all registered pilgrims in Hajj 2025.