Pakistan urges Saudi Arabia to increase Hajj quota in line with population

• Hajj training made mandatory for all intending pilgrims.
• Over 450,000 apply for Hajj registration this year.
• Minister vows to personally address pilgrims’ complaints.
  

Pakistan has formally requested the Saudi government to increase its Hajj 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 on Wednesday.

“With the increase in quotas for other countries, Pakistan’s quota will also be significantly enhanced,” the minister said.

To a question, he said over 38,000 intending pilgrims would travel from Islamabad under the ‘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 Hajj 2026 as per the guidance of the Saudi government.

Earlier, addressing participants in the Hajj training session, the minister said Saudi Arabia allocated a quota of 179,210 for Hajj 2026, of which around 118,000 seats have been reserved under the government scheme, while the rest have 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 the Hajj rituals and administrative procedures. Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the first phase of Hajj training programs will continue across the country until February. 

He said over 450,000 applications were received for Hajj registration this year, showing growing public trust in the government.

Sardar Yousaf also shared that during his previous visits on the occasion of Hajj, 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 noted that the Ministry of Religious Affairs has prepared 22 guiding principles aimed at making the performance of Hajj rituals easier for pilgrims.

Sardar Yousaf said he would also be present in Saudi Arabia to address any complaint of the Hujaj.