Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has hinted at a significant shift in the country’s Hajj policy. According to Secretary Dr. Zulfikar Haider, the government may withdraw from Hajj arrangements altogether, leaving private operators to manage the entire process.
This development comes after Saudi Arabia drastically reduced the number of companies authorized to handle Hajj arrangements, from 500 to 162, last year. The Saudi government has expressed concerns about dealing with a large number of companies and has instructed Pakistan to limit the number of authorized operators.
Currently, 46 private companies have been allocated a quota of 2,000 pilgrims each. However, these companies are facing legal challenges, and the Ministry has warned that failure to resolve these issues may result in Saudi Arabia canceling their quotas.
The proposed shift in policy has sparked concerns about the potential impact on pilgrims. However, proponents argue that private operators are better equipped to provide quality services and manage the complex logistics involved in the Hajj pilgrimage.
