Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Orders Inquiry into Reduction of Pakistan’s Private Hajj Quota
ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed serious concern over the reduction in Pakistan’s private Hajj quota for this year, leaving thousands of Pakistanis unable to fulfill their religious obligation.
Immediate Action and Formation of Inquiry Committee
In response to the issue, the Prime Minister has directed an immediate inquiry into the matter and established a three-member committee to determine accountability within three days.
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Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the failure of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in securing the private Hajj quota within the designated timeframe, as per Saudi Arabia’s 2025 Hajj policy.
Committee to Investigate the Lapse
The inquiry committee will be led by the Secretary of the Cabinet Division, with the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Federal Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan serving as committee members. The committee has been tasked with investigating why the Ministry of Religious Affairs failed to implement the Saudi Hajj policy on time and why communication with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj was not maintained promptly.
Impact of the Lapse
As a result of this failure, thousands of Pakistani pilgrims have been deprived of the opportunity to perform Hajj this year, a significant religious pilgrimage. The committee is expected to provide its findings within three days, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs has been instructed to cooperate fully with the inquiry.
A notification regarding the inquiry has already been issued by the Cabinet Division.
