Islamabad, Apr 23, 2025: In a strategic move, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced a 50% cut in the number of Hajj assistants for the 2025 pilgrimage.
This decision comes in response to a sharp decline in the number of Pakistani citizens participating in the sacred journey this year.
Initially, the government had planned to send 840 support personnel to assist over 179,000 Pakistani pilgrims.
These individuals were selected through a rigorous process conducted by the National Testing Service (NTS).
However, a recent reduction in the pilgrim count—dropping by nearly 67,000—has prompted the ministry to reevaluate its staffing needs.
According to reliable sources, only 440 assistants will now be sent to Saudi Arabia to support the pilgrims.
The ministry will engage the top 440 candidates who successfully cleared the NTS exam earlier this year.
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This adjustment ensures that resources are allocated more efficiently and are in line with the actual number of pilgrims.
Officials within the ministry emphasized that this downsizing is both a practical and necessary step to maintain balance between logistical support and the number of travelers.
The goal is to prevent unnecessary expenditure and manage operations more effectively without compromising the quality of service for those embarking on the Hajj.
The reduced turnout of Pakistani pilgrims this year is believed to be due to multiple factors, including rising costs, limited quotas, and personal constraints.
With fewer people making the journey, the need for a large support team has diminished, leading to this revised deployment plan.
This streamlined approach also reflects the ministry’s commitment to improving the management of Hajj operations and providing quality care to the pilgrims.
Officials have assured that the selected assistants are well-trained and fully capable of meeting the needs of the traveling group.
As Pakistan prepares for Hajj 2025, the ministry is focusing on smarter resource utilization and better service delivery.
The reduced team of assistants is expected to handle their responsibilities efficiently, ensuring a smooth and respectful pilgrimage experience for all Pakistani participants.
