Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony of Pakistan’s National Assembly conducted a review of the Hajj 2026 operation, highlighting the need for reforms to enhance services for future pilgrims. The meeting, held under the chairmanship of Shagufta Jumani, focused on the successes and challenges of the recent Hajj and preparations for the upcoming Hajj 2027.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the Committee received updates from the Minister for Religious Affairs, who reported a significant decrease in complaints from pilgrims and appreciation for the Ministry’s management. With over 300,000 registrations for Hajj 2027, the confidence in the Government Hajj Scheme is evident. The DG Hajj (KSA) briefed the Committee on the 119,000 Pakistani pilgrims who performed Hajj under the government scheme and highlighted the receipt of the Labbaytum Excellence Award from Saudi Arabia for service delivery.

Despite the achievements, the Committee pointed out issues such as inadequate planning for accommodations, food quality, and flight management, which sparked criticism on social media. Concerns were raised about contract awards and the need for a transparent selection process. The Committee recommended forming a Hajj Procurement Committee for timely procurement and implementing a transparent accommodation allocation system. Suggestions were made to enhance digital monitoring, strengthen service provider accountability, and improve coordination with Saudi authorities.

The Committee also addressed concerns about airline fares for pilgrims traveling to Najaf Sharif and insufficient development funds for minority parliamentarians. Recommendations included increasing these funds and providing a detailed briefing on relevant development initiatives.

The meeting concluded with the confirmation of the previous meeting’s minutes and was attended by several honorable members and officials.