Islamabad, Apr 30, 2025: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has refuted claims circulating in the media that millions of Saudi Riyals, designated for Pakistani pilgrims, were accidentally transferred to an incorrect bank account.
An official from the ministry addressed the issue on Tuesday, emphasizing that the Kingdom’s electronic Hajj system adheres to the utmost standards of accuracy and transparency.
These reports, according to the official, stemmed from a misunderstanding of the process.
Earlier, there were allegations that funds intended for Pakistani pilgrims were mistakenly transferred to an account linked with OPEC instead of the Saudi ministry, raising concerns about potential delays for this year’s pilgrimage.
However, Saudi authorities reassured the public that all Hajj 2024 preparations were finalized well ahead of time.
While Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs met all deadlines, several private Hajj operators failed to complete essential contracts, resulting in unfilled slots.
In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif established a committee to investigate the reasons behind the underutilization of the full Hajj quota of 179,210.
Read More: Pakistan Launches Hajj Flight Operations for 2025
The Saudi ministry emphasized its ongoing cooperation with Pakistani officials to ensure the remaining arrangements are finalized.
Pakistan’s Hajj flight operations commenced on Tuesday, with 442 pilgrims departing from Islamabad to Madinah.
Approximately 89,000 Pakistanis are expected to perform Hajj under the government scheme, with over 23,000 traveling through private operators
