Islamabad: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Yousaf, has brought great news for Pakistanis intending to perform Hajj this year, announcing that pilgrims traveling under the government scheme will receive VIP-level services during their sacred journey.
Speaking at the annual Hajj Conference in Islamabad, Sardar Yousaf acknowledged past complaints of poor arrangements and lack of cooperation, but assured that this year’s Hajj will be significantly improved. “Our pilgrims will perform Hajj like VVIPs, thanks to equal treatment from Saudi authorities and improved management by the Pakistani government,” he stated.
He emphasized that the Ministry of Religious Affairs is not a commercial body but is driven by the ideals of Pakistan and Islam. Reflecting on his earlier tenure, he noted that when he assumed office in 2013, only 5,000 applications were received. However, by 2016, applications had surged to over 500,000 due to affordable packages and better organization.
Sardar Yousaf claimed that Saudi authorities have ensured equal facilities for all pilgrims, and Pakistan will not show any negligence in delivering quality services. He added that while Saudi officials are not to blame for past issues, Pakistan’s own mismanagement led to shortcomings.
Discussing transparency, he mentioned that all Hajj-related funds submitted via the portal will not go to waste, and efforts are underway to resolve any remaining issues. He also praised the commitment of Pakistan’s ambassador in Saudi Arabia and highlighted that the Prime Minister’s appointed committee has submitted its report, which will guide further actions.
Sardar Yousaf, who took charge of the Ministry just a month ago, said he personally visited Saudi Arabia to inspect the arrangements. He and Allama Tahir Ashrafi worked to restore the 67,000 pilgrim quota, and thanks to efforts by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and cooperation from the Saudi Minister of Hajj, Pakistan secured an additional quota of 10,000 pilgrims, raising the official limit to 102,000.
He clarified that the additional 10,000 quota came from the private Hajj scheme, and denied rumors about further increases, urging the public not to be misled by inaccurate reports.
This year’s Hajj is expected to be more comfortable and organized for Pakistani pilgrims, marking a significant improvement in government performance and international coordination.
