Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has expressed serious concerns over the exclusion of approximately 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims from participating in Hajj 2025. At their recent meeting, the committee, chaired by Malik Muhammad Aamir Dogar, called on the Ministry of Religious Affairs to facilitate the affected pilgrims or ensure the refund of their deposits.

During the fifth meeting held in the Ministry’s Committee Room, the committee discussed the issue of a substantial fund of around PKR 36 billion, which remains tied up in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The committee stressed the need for urgent resolution, given the significant religious and financial impact on the pilgrims and their families.

The committee resolved to send a delegation to seek the Prime Minister’s intervention, aiming for a high-level engagement with Saudi authorities to secure a special quota or alternative arrangements for the pilgrims. This move is intended to uphold public trust in the management of this religious obligation.

The Minister for Religious Affairs informed the committee about the Saudi government’s agreement to accommodate an additional 10,000 pilgrims, following Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s efforts. However, he noted that the exclusion of the 67,000 pilgrims resulted from delays in agreements and payments.

The committee was updated on the current state of Hajj operations and a demonstration of the Hajj 2025 mobile application was provided. Meanwhile, the committee deferred discussions on “The National Commission for Minorities’ Rights Bill, 2025” and the briefing on the Evacuee Trust Property Board to the next meeting.

The meeting, attended by several members of the National Assembly and senior ministry officials, also approved the minutes from its previous session.