Saudi Arabia approves additional quota for 10,000 Pakistanis to perform Hajj

In an effort to provide facilities for all to perform Hajj rituals, the government has taken a significant step for those who remained unable to submit applications on time. 

This development follows Pakistan’s private to tour operator failed to meet timeline set by Saudi Arabia, which resulted in at least 77,000 pilgrims at risk of losing the opportunity to perform Hajj this year.

The matter prompted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order an investigation and direct the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs to request Saudi authorities to extend the booking deadline, but the request was declined. 

However, Saudi Arabia recently approved the additional quota of 10,000 pilgrims for Pakistanis, allowing many to submit their Hajj application.

The move came after Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had a telephonic conversation with his Saudi counterpart. 

Read: Saudi Arabia imposes temporary visa ban on Pakistan ahead of Hajj season

A statement issued by the Ministry of Information stated that Pakistan requested a special quota for pilgrims who were unable to submit their applications on time, which was accepted by the Saudi Minister, permitting 10,000 more to perform Hajj.

Notably, the Pakistani government permitted tour operators to transfer funds to Saudi Arabia starting January 10, while Saudi Arabia set a final booking deadline of February 14. 

Despite these arrangements, non-compliance by private operators led to the forfeiture of thousands of slots. Under the 2025 Hajj agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, a total of 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims were expected to perform Hajj this year.