In a significant development, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar personally reached out to his Saudi counterpart with a heartfelt request to increase Pakistan’s Hajj quota for the year. This request was made to ensure that those Pakistani citizens who missed the official registration deadline could still have a chance to fulfill their spiritual journey.
The Ministry of Information confirmed that the Saudi authorities responded positively to the appeal, approving an additional quota of 10,000 pilgrims. This timely decision has brought great relief and joy to thousands of aspiring pilgrims across the country.
Earlier, religious scholar and Special Representative on Religious Harmony, Tahir Ashrafi, had expressed serious concerns, warning that 70,000 to 75,000 private pilgrims’ slots were in danger of being forfeited due to procedural delays and registration issues.
Thanks to diplomatic efforts and strong bilateral relations, this intervention has averted a major setback and ensured that more Pakistanis will be able to perform Hajj this year with dignity and peace of mind.
