Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has launched a formal inquiry following Pakistan’s failure to fully utilize its allocated private Hajj quota for 2025, citing non-compliance with Saudi Arabia’s updated regulations as the root cause.
The decision, made official through a Cabinet Division notification issued on Thursday, has sparked national attention and concern over the administrative lapses that deprived thousands of Pakistani pilgrims the chance to perform Hajj.
As per the agreement, a total of 179,210 pilgrims from Pakistan were to perform Hajj this year—divided equally between the government-sponsored and private Hajj schemes.
Breakdown of the 2025 Hajj Quota and the Shortfall
The unutilized private slots represent a lost opportunity for Pakistan’s religious community, many of whom had registered with private operators with the hope of undertaking the sacred pilgrimage.
- 89,605 under the Government Hajj Scheme
- 89,605 under the Private Hajj Scheme
In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a three-member high-level committee to determine the reasons behind the mismanagement. The panel comprises.
- Secretary of the Cabinet Division (Committee Head)
- Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
- Chief Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan
Comprehensive review of the actions taken by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, assess the level of compliance with Saudi Hajj policies, and identify any individuals or entities responsible for the failure.
Saudi Arabia’s Revised Hajj Policy for 2025
In 2025, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia introduced key regulatory updates in its Hajj framework. These included:
- Stricter deadlines for document submissions and visa processing
- New digital portals and systems for Hajj applications
- Enhanced health and vaccination requirements
- Mandatory registration through approved private Hajj operators
Despite these clear guidelines, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs reportedly failed to adapt quickly and effectively to the new requirements, leading to systemic breakdowns in execution.
- Thousands of prospective pilgrims left in limbo, many of whom had saved for years to afford a private Hajj package.
- Loss of trust in private Hajj operators, who are now under the scanner for inefficiency and non-compliance.
- Potential financial losses for the private Hajj sector, which plays a crucial role in managing and facilitating pilgrim logistics.
Calls for Transparency and Reform in Hajj Operations
Religious scholars, civil society groups, and opposition parties have all demanded transparency in the probe and accountability for those responsible.
- Digitization of Hajj application systems
- Regular compliance audits for private Hajj operators
- Better training and orientation of ministry staff
- Real-time tracking and coordination with Saudi authorities
The 2025 lapse may serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to overhaul the current framework and restore public confidence in both government and private Hajj facilitation.
Saudi Arabia has also mandated specific vaccinations for all Hajj pilgrims in 2025, including immunization against:
- Meningitis (ACWY)
- Seasonal Influenza
- COVID-19 (as per updated WHO guidelines)
