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A serious concern has emerged ahead of Hajj 2025, as the fate of nearly 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims hangs in the balance. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stepped in to address the crisis, announcing that he will personally request support from Saudi authorities to facilitate those affected under the private Hajj quota.
🇵🇰 “A Matter of Shame”: PM Expresses Deep Concern
In a high-level meeting held on Friday, the Prime Minister expressed alarm over delays in finalizing agreements and payments for the Hajj arrangements. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, calling it a “matter of shame,” and urged officials to act swiftly to avoid depriving thousands of people of their religious obligation.
“We must do everything in our power to resolve this issue and avoid denying thousands of people the chance to fulfil a sacred obligation,” PM Shehbaz stated.
He directed all relevant departments to exhaust every possible option to ensure these pilgrims can proceed with their journey to the holy sites.
🤝 Delegation Appeals for Immediate Intervention
The meeting included:
- Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf
- Members of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs
- Representatives from the Hajj Organizers Association of Pakistan (HOAP)
The delegation highlighted the urgent nature of the issue and requested the Prime Minister’s direct involvement with Saudi officials to resolve the quota-related complications.
đź“‹ What Caused the Crisis?
According to Secretary of Religious Affairs Dr. Attaur Rehman, the situation stems from new policy changes by Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025. The key changes include:
- Only Hajj Group Organizers with a minimum quota of 2,000 pilgrims will be allowed to operate.
- As a result, 904 smaller organizers have been merged into 45 larger companies.
- These sudden structural changes have caused confusion, payment delays, and coordination issues, effectively jeopardizing the plans of 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims.
Dr. Rehman clarified that the matter has gone beyond the government’s immediate control and now depends on Saudi approval.
🔄 What’s Next?
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has committed to personally engaging with Saudi officials to seek an urgent solution, especially for those impacted under the private Hajj quota. His intervention is seen as a last hope to salvage the pilgrimage plans for thousands of Pakistanis.
The coming days will be crucial, as Pakistan awaits Riyadh’s response and final clarity on whether these pilgrims will be allowed to perform Hajj in 2025.
đź“Ś Stay tuned for updates on this developing story and more coverage on Hajj 2025 logistics and developments.
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