JI urges PM to resolve private Hajj scheme issue

LAHORE:Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to personally contact Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to resolve the ongoing crisis related to Pakistan’s Private Hajj Scheme.

In a formal letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Rehman warned that due to administrative delays and logistical failures, nearly 67,000 Pakistanis may be deprived of performing Hajj this year, despite having paid significant sums to private tour operators. The JI chief emphasised the urgency of the matter, suggesting that direct communication between PM Shehbaz Sharif and the Saudi Crown Prince could lead to a swift resolution.

He proposed that the government immediately dispatch a high-level delegation to Saudi Arabia to coordinate with Saudi authorities and ensure the necessary arrangements are made. Referring to reports that Nigeria was recently granted an additional 40,000 Hajj slots, Rehman expressed optimism that a similar diplomatic effort could help accommodate Pakistani pilgrims.

He also cited claims by tour operators that Pakistan's Hajj quota has not been fully exhausted and that space is still available in Mina and Arafat. Rehman also urged the government to secure the funds already remitted to Saudi Arabia by private Hajj operators, and ensure full refunds for pilgrims in case they are unable to fulfill their religious obligation.

He demanded an independent inquiry into the crisis, holding both government officials and private Hajj organisers accountable for administrative negligence. He warned that if the situation persists, a major financial crisis could hit the private Hajj sector, with potential losses exceeding Rs100 billion. He noted that funds for 2023 and 2024 Hajj seasons are still pending recovery, making this year's crisis even more damaging for both operators and pilgrims.

Blaming a combination of delayed policymaking in Islamabad, inefficiency of private Hajj tour operators, and the implementation of a new Saudi digital system, he stressed the need for immediate and high-level intervention to prevent irreparable damage to Pakistani pilgrims.