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Haj 2024: Rs199 Billion Transferred, But Fate of 67,000 Pakistani Pilgrims Uncertain
Rs199bn transferred to Saudi Arabia for Haj 2024, but 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims face uncertainty. Private Haj organizers demand clarity on visas, funds & government restrictions. Religious ministry says efforts are ongoing.
ND
by News Desk
2025-04-21
Haj 2024: Rs199 Billion Transferred, But Fate of 67,000 Pakistani Pilgrims Uncertain

The Pakistan Haj Organisers Association (PHOA) revealed on Monday that a massive sum of 2.67 billion Saudi riyals (approximately Rs199.67 billion) has already been transferred from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia for Haj 2024. Despite this, the fate of 67,000 pilgrims remains uncertain due to unresolved issues between Pakistani authorities and private Haj operators.

Earlier this year, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the annual Haj agreement, allocating a quota of 179,210 pilgrims. Of these, roughly half — about 90,000 — were set to perform Haj under the government scheme, while the rest were to travel privately.

However, a recent notification by the Ministry of Religious Affairs capped the number of private pilgrims at just 23,620. The decision raised alarms among private operators and pilgrims, leaving approximately 67,000 people in limbo — despite having paid their dues.

At a press conference, PHOA leader Mohammad Kamran Zeb detailed the financial breakdown of funds already transferred. “A total of Rs22.5 billion was paid for air tickets, Rs220 million in advance tax to the FBR, and Rs1.58 billion as service charges to the Ministry of Religious Affairs,” he said, noting that this included payments from overseas Pakistanis, who account for 30% of the pilgrims.

Zeb criticized the government's restrictions on private Haj organizers, particularly the imposed transfer caps and delays in processing applications. “If the Saudi deadline for final arrangements was February 14, why were funds still being accepted beyond that date?” he questioned.

He urged both Pakistani and Saudi authorities to resolve the matter urgently in favor of the stranded pilgrims. “All money has been sent from us that the pilgrims gave,” Zeb emphasized.

Meanwhile, federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf addressed the concerns during a television appearance, saying that the government was working to enable more pilgrims to perform Haj. He announced that after negotiations, an additional 10,000 private pilgrims were granted permission.

Yousaf explained that he had met Saudi Haj officials in December and requested an extension in deadlines to accommodate Pakistan’s full quota. “With the prime minister’s support, we’re trying to ensure that all 179,210 pilgrims can perform Haj this year,” he stated.

So far, arrangements for the government scheme pilgrims have been completed. However, the uncertainty surrounding the private quota has left tens of thousands in distress, especially those who have already paid and made travel arrangements.

As the pilgrimage approaches, PHOA and affected pilgrims continue to seek urgent intervention to ensure that their spiritual journey is not hindered by bureaucratic delays and miscommunication.

 
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ReligiousAffairs

Haj2024

PakistanHaj

PilgrimCrisis

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