In a significant development, the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dr. Zulfiqar Haider, announced that the government plans to withdraw from managing Hajj arrangements. From 2026, private operators may handle the entire Hajj program, as highlighted in a Senate Standing Committee meeting on Religious Affairs chaired by Senator Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman.

Dr. Haider emphasized that Saudi Arabia had directed the reduction of Hajj-operating companies, bringing the number down from 500 to just 162 last year. In light of these directives, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is stepping away from overseeing Hajj arrangements.

This shift comes with challenges, including legal disputes by private operators regarding their quotas. The Secretary clarified that failure to resolve these issues might lead to the cancellation of private operators’ quotas. These quotas could then be reallocated to neighboring countries like India or Afghanistan, as per Saudi Arabia’s discretion.

The committee also discussed complaints surrounding Hajj operations. Notably, 80 complaints were registered against private operators, while government-run schemes faced a staggering 18,000 complaints. The stark contrast has drawn significant attention to improving the quality of services provided by private operators.

Minority member Dr. Dinesh Kumar offered solutions to address the challenges faced by private operators and the Ministry. He was commended for his in-depth understanding of Hajj operations and Islamic principles. However, the Senate committee firmly urged both parties to collaborate and finalize agreements swiftly to avoid jeopardizing Pakistan’s Hajj quota.

The transition reflects a broader shift in Hajj policy influenced by Saudi Arabia’s directives and underscores the importance of efficiency and compliance in religious travel arrangements. For further updates on this evolving situation, stay tuned to Brides & You.