Thousands of Pakistani Pilgrims Miss Hajj 2025 Over Delays in Bookings and Payments
Around 67,000 Pakistanis were unable to perform Hajj 2025 due to delays in finalizing agreements and payments to Saudi authorities, according to Hajj organizers.
Missed Deadlines Cost Thousands Their Hajj Opportunity
This year, Saudi Arabia allocated a total of 179,210 Hajj slots for Pakistani pilgrims—split equally between the government and private tour operators (89,605 each). However, the private operators were only able to secure 14,000 accepted applications, a sharp shortfall from demand.
Organizers explained they had already made bookings for the 67,000 applicants and transferred SAR 7 million to Saudi Arabia on their behalf. Unfortunately, due to delays—citing late agreements and payments—their applications were rejected.
In a gesture of goodwill, Pakistan’s government made a special appeal, and Saudi Arabia granted an additional 10,000 quotas, but this still fell well short of accommodating everyone, leaving tens of thousands without the opportunity to perform the pilgrimage.
Government Orders Prompt Inquiry Into Quota Failures
In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a three-member inquiry committee to investigate what went wrong. Chaired by the Secretary of the Cabinet Division, the committee also includes the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Federal Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan.
They are tasked with submitting their report within three days, identifying reasons behind the failure to secure the private Hajj quota and holding those responsible accountable.
The Hajj organizers have formally appealed to the Prime Minister to assist in resolving the matter, urging swift action to prevent similar issues in future Hajj arrangements.