Hajj body planned for private sector

It will monitor private operators; govt may create Hajj fund to provide subsidy

ISLAMABAD:

The government may establish a Hajj and Umrah Authority to oversee provision of services by the private sector and disengage itself from reserving Hajj quotas.

Additionally, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony, in consultation with the Finance Division, is examining the possibility of creating a Hajj Fund to subsidise Hajj expenditures for low-income persons. At a recent meeting, the cabinet was assured by the religious affairs ministry that the proposed Hajj policy would be modified to give preference to applicants who had not performed Hajj before. Regarding the issue of beggars, measures were already being taken, and the religious affairs ministry was in communication with the Ministry of Interior and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to filter out beggars from Hajj and Umrah schemes.

Discussing quotas for the government Hajj scheme, the religious affairs ministry proposed that in long term, the government should disengage from reserving quotas, and a Hajj and Umrah Authority may be established to regulate provision of services by the private sector.

Regarding Hajj App, the ministry explained that the app was already in use. The Ministry of IT and Telecom added that the app had many features and over 100,000 users, with an inbuilt feedback feature that could be further improved. A quota of 5,000 for the government and 30,000 for private schemes has been reserved for the sponsorship programme.

Cabinet members posed several questions, in response to which they were assured that steps were already being taken by the religious affairs ministry to facilitate Hajj and ensure smooth operations.

When asked about putting a cap on charges demanded by private operators, it was clarified that since various types of facilities were being offered – ranging from average-quality accommodation, food, and transport to five-star hotels and limousines – setting a specific ceiling might not be possible.

However, these rates could be monitored according to the quality of facilities provided by Hajj operators.

The cabinet was informed that the proposed mechanism for shortlisting private Hajj operators had been challenged in the Sindh High Court and has been pending for the last six months. The prime minister expressed concern over the delay and questioned what measures had been taken to vacate the stay. The cabinet gave directives that causes should be identified and responsibility for the delay should be fixed. It emphasised the need for transparency in shortlisting process for private operators and directed that those selected should undergo security clearance.

The PM observed that in the past, particularly in 2015, there was widespread appreciation for Hajj operation, whereas in 2023 there were numerous complaints that needed urgent attention. The cabinet directed the religious affairs ministry to ensure the highest standards of service during the Hajj in 2025.

The ministry requested the cabinet to approve the Hajj Policy 2025. The cabinet considered a summary titled "Hajj Policy 2025," submitted by the Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Division, and approved it with the following provisions:

The Ministry of Religious Affairs shall ensure that the committed quality of facilities and services are provided to pilgrims under the government scheme in 2025 and the deficits and lapses reported during the Hajj operation in 2024, especially in Mina, are not repeated. The ministry shall ensure that rates charged by private Hajj operators are commensurate with the quality of facilities they offer. It will devise a mechanism to monitor and ensure that the committed facilities are provided by private Hajj operators. The monitoring mechanism shall include provisions for legal action against defaulters.

First preference in government scheme shall be given to those applicants who have not performed Hajj before.

The Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the religious affairs ministry, shall devise a mechanism to ensure that no person is permitted to go for Hajj or Umrah for the purpose of begging. FIA and the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports shall be mobilised in this regard. The Ministry of Interior shall also liaise with relevant Saudi authorities. In case of default, action shall be taken not only against those found involved in begging but also against Hajj and Umrah operators through whom they have travelled to Saudi Arabia.

The religious affairs ministry shall update Hajj App with help of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, if required. The possibility of providing tracking SIMs to pilgrims, to locate them in case they go missing, will also be examined.