Haj chaos

Pakistanis are no strangers to incompetence and callousness but this time the blunder regarding Haj has also nearly wiped out the life savings of thousands. The secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs has said that the government is no longer in control of the arrangements for sending approximately 67,000 Pakistani Haj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in 2025. These are individuals whose application processes were delayed due to the negligence of private tour operators. According to ministry officials and the director-general of Haj, resolving the issue now requires high-level intervention – likely discussions between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). This unfortunate situation is yet another example of the mismanagement and lack of accountability that continues to plague our institutions.

Just days ago, the Haj Organisers Association of Pakistan (HOAP) disclosed that approximately 50 million Saudi riyals in Haj funds had been mistakenly transferred to an incorrect account, disrupting the travel plans of Pakistani pilgrims. Officials now warn that private Haj operators may not receive full refunds for advance payments made to Saudi Arabia. While funds sent through official government channels may be partially refunded (subject to a 15 per cent deduction), the fate of privately transferred funds remains uncertain. To call this a financial blunder would be an understatement – and much harsher words come to mind. This is not a simple clerical mistake. Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory for those who can afford the journey. Many of the affected individuals have been saving for this spiritual obligation for decades. Now, just weeks before the pilgrimage, tens of thousands of them may lose the chance to fulfill a once-in-a-lifetime religious duty.

While the window for travel this year is rapidly closing, Pakistani authorities must still make every effort to negotiate with their Saudi counterparts and salvage what they can. At the same time, this incident should serve as a wake-up call. Greater vigilance and reform are urgently needed, particularly in matters of such profound religious and emotional significance. Sadly, this is not the first time Haj arrangements have been marred by controversy. Complaints of mismanagement are common, and many pilgrims turn to private tour operators in the hope of avoiding the inefficiencies of official channels. This time, however, the private sector’s failings have led to irreversible damage. The government must act swiftly to reform the Haj management system, ensuring that future pilgrims are spared such hardship. Immediate diplomatic efforts must also be made to explore whether the affected 67,000 pilgrims can still be accommodated this year. It is a national shame that such a scandal has occurred in a country where religious pilgrimages like Haj and Umrah are held in such high regard. All we can do now is hope for justice, better management next year and some form of compensation for those left behind.