ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has formally requested the Saudi government to increase its Haj quota to 230,000, in proportion to the country’s population, to allow more people to undertake the pilgrimage.
This was stated by Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, while talking to the media here on Wednesday.
To a question, he said over 38,000 intending pilgrims would travel from Islamabad under ‘Road to Makkah’ project, while efforts are being made to expand this facility to Lahore. At present, the intending pilgrims are availing this facility at Islamabad and Karachi only. The minister said the government has finalised arrangements for Haj 2026 as per guidance of the Saudi government.
Earlier, addressing participants in the Haj training session, the minister said Saudi Arabia allocated a quota of 179,210 for Haj 2026, of which around 118,000 seats have been reserved under the government scheme, while the rest has been allocated to the private tour operators.
The minister said that the trainings were made mandatory to ensure that intending pilgrims are fully aware of Haj rituals and administrative procedures. Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the first phase of Haj training programs will continue across the country until February. He said over 450,000 applications received for Haj registration this year, showing growing public trust in the government.
Sardar Yousaf also shared that during his previous visits on the occasion of Haj, he did not avail any official protocol. He also urged Khuddam-ul-Hujaj Nazims to serve the guests of Allah Almighty in an efficient manner. He said he would also be present in Saudi Arabia to address any complaint of the Hujaj.
