Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stepped in after a surprising reduction in this year’s private Hajj quota left thousands of Pakistanis unable to join the pilgrimage under the private scheme. The move has sparked concern among citizens eager to fulfill their religious obligations.
Following the development, the PM didn’t waste time and ordered an immediate inquiry to get to the bottom of the issue. According to media reports he’s set up a three-member committee with a tight deadline of three days to pinpoint who’s accountable for the shortfall.
The trouble stems from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, which, despite completing necessary procedures on time, couldn’t lock in the private Hajj quota from Saudi Arabia for 2025. This has raised eyebrows and questions about what went wrong.
PM Shehbaz isn’t hiding his frustration. He’s made it clear he’s unhappy with the delay and has tasked the committee with digging into why the Ministry of Religious Affairs didn’t act fast enough to align with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj’s policies or submit the quota request promptly.
Leading the charge is the Secretary of the Cabinet Division, who chairs the three-member committee. Alongside him are the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Federal Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan, forming a team with diverse expertise.
Their mission is straightforward but urgent: figure out why the Ministry of Religious Affairs missed key deadlines and failed to secure the private Hajj quota. The stakes are high, as this oversight has dashed the hopes of thousands of aspiring pilgrims.
With just three days to wrap up the investigation, the committee is under pressure to deliver answers and name those responsible. The PM has also directed the Ministry of Religious Affairs to provide full support to ensure the probe runs smoothly.
To formalize the process, the Cabinet Division has already issued a notification announcing the committee’s formation and the start of the inquiry. This signals a serious commitment to addressing the issue head-on.
For many Pakistanis, the Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime journey, and the reduction in the private quota has left them searching for clarity. The outcome of this inquiry could shape how such matters are handled in the future.
As the committee gets to work, all eyes are on the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the government’s next steps. With the clock ticking, the nation awaits a resolution that could restore trust and ensure better planning for next year’s pilgrimage.
