Islamabad, July 17, 2025: In a landmark development, Hajj and Umrah pilgrims are set to receive major relief as Saudi Arabia’s leading travel and hospitality companies unveil a $40 million (Rs. 15 billion) support fund aimed at reducing pilgrimage costs.
The initiative is expected to slash travel expenses by up to Rs. 50,000 per pilgrim, significantly easing the financial burden on thousands of Pakistani citizens planning their religious journey.
Speaking at a recent event, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf lauded the initiative, calling it a major step forward in making spiritual travel more accessible.
He emphasized the government’s continued efforts to improve pilgrimage services and announced a new investigative committee to address the alarming disappearance of 63,000 missing Hajj pilgrims, after the Prime Minister rejected the initial inquiry report.
In addition to the financial support, the minister revealed that the government is working to promote religious harmony and facilitate more organized pilgrimages to other sacred destinations such as Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Group travel arrangements similar to Hajj and Umrah will soon be offered to devotees traveling to these countries.
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To enhance unity and coordination among different religious sects, a national prayer calendar is also being developed and will be released in Islamabad shortly. During a meeting with the Shia Ulema Council, Sardar Yousuf stressed the importance of collaboration among religious groups to preserve peace and harmony throughout the nation.
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This announcement not only brings hope to prospective pilgrims but also marks a significant shift in the region’s religious travel landscape. With the Saudi $40 million fund in place and new policies being rolled out, Hajj and Umrah travel from Pakistan is set to become more affordable and inclusive than ever before.
