Makkah: The Pakistan Hajj Mission has been commended for its significant efforts in organizing the Hajj 2026, as announced by Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony. The Minister highlighted the remarkable arrangements made within a constrained timeframe during a news conference in Makkah, attributing the success to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Pakistan Hajj Mission were recognized with the Excellence Award by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for the second year running. Sardar Yousuf expressed satisfaction with the operational, monitoring, and evaluation processes during the Hajj rituals. He lauded the Pakistan Hajj Mission’s officials for a smooth Mashair journey for pilgrims in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, and noted three top awards were also granted to private sector Hajj firms in Pakistan.

The Minister highlighted the efforts of the Pakistan Medical Mission, which provided services through thirty-four dispensaries, and assisted 140 sick pilgrims with wheelchairs, buses, and ambulances. Facilities at Mashair camps included sofa-cum-beds and regular meals, while transportation was managed systematically, with 75 percent of Hujjaj reaching their destinations on time.

Sardar Yousuf also detailed that four Pakistani camp offices and a back-end call center were operational during Mashair days. He noted the success in accommodating pilgrims in safe, comfortable buildings in Makkah and hotels near Masjid al-Nabawi in Madinah. The complaints ratio was reported to be less than one percent.

Expressing gratitude to the Saudi authorities, the Minister acknowledged the efforts of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, for their hospitality towards Pakistani pilgrims. He concluded the conference by thanking the media for their positive coverage during the pilgrimage.