In a move to streamline operations for the upcoming Hajj season, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced a 50% reduction in the number of Hajj assistants for 2025. The decision comes in response to a substantial drop in the number of Pakistani pilgrims participating this year.
Initially, 840 assistants were selected through the National Testing Service (NTS) to support 179,210 pilgrims. However, with approximately 67,000 Pakistanis no longer part of the Hajj cohort, only 440 assistants will now be deployed to Saudi Arabia, sources within the ministry confirmed.
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Officials clarified that the ministry will move forward with the deployment of the top 440 candidates who successfully passed the NTS examination. This adjustment ensures that the number of support personnel corresponds more closely with the actual needs of the reduced pilgrim group.
The ministry stated that this decision was made to maintain operational efficiency and resource management, emphasizing the importance of aligning support services with current logistical realities.
This development highlights how fluctuations in pilgrim numbers can directly influence staffing strategies, as authorities continue working to optimize the Hajj experience under evolving circumstances.
