Islamabad, 16 May, 2025: 115000 Pakistani Pilgrims have received official clearance to perform Hajj this year, according to recent updates shared in Pakistan’s National Assembly.
Partial Quota Fulfilled Amid Ongoing Appeal
Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Yousaf, during a parliamentary address, stated that while Pakistan had been allocated a Hajj quota of 189,000 pilgrims, only 115000 Pakistani Pilgrims have so far been granted permission by Saudi authorities.
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He confirmed that an official request has been submitted once again to the Saudi government, seeking permission for the remaining 65,000 pilgrims to participate in the sacred journey. However, as of now, no formal response has been received.
Quota Distribution and Application Deadline
The minister noted that the overall quota was divided equally between public and private Hajj operators 50% government-managed and 50% private sector-led.
The final deadline for Hajj applications had been set for February 14, and only those private tour operators who managed to submit payments within the window were able to secure spots for their clients.
He explained that the Pakistani government had urged Saudi authorities to consider extending the application deadline, which led to a short grace period of 48 hours.
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During this extended timeframe, 23,000 additional pilgrims were able to deposit their Hajj payments.
Global Hajj Constraints
In a broader context, the minister also shared that approximately 350,000 aspiring pilgrims worldwide have not received approval to perform Hajj this year due to global limitations on pilgrimage capacity.
Despite these restrictions, Pakistan continues to work diplomatically to accommodate more of its citizens.
Officials remain hopeful that the pending request will be approved, allowing the full quota to be utilized. For now, arrangements are underway for the 115000 Pakistani Pilgrims who have been confirmed for this year’s pilgrimage.
