Pakistani pilgrims to receive VIP treatment during Hajj: Minister

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Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has promised improved services for Pakistani pilgrims during Hajj 2025, stating they will be treated "like VIPs." The announcement comes amid longstanding complaints from pilgrims about poor arrangements and lack of support during the annual pilgrimage.

Speaking at the annual Hajj Conference in Islamabad, Sardar Yousaf said, “This time, our pilgrims will perform Hajj like VIPs because Saudi authorities are ensuring equal facilities, and the Government of Pakistan will also not leave any gaps.”

The minister emphasised that the Ministry of Religious Affairs is not a commercial entity. “Our mission is the ideology of Pakistan and Islam,” he said, adding that when he previously took office in 2013, only 5,000 Hajj applications were received. By 2016, that number had grown to 500,000 due to improved packages and better arrangements.

He acknowledged past shortcomings and assured the audience that this time, coordination with Saudi authorities is stronger. “Whatever money was sent through the official Hajj portal will not go to waste. We are working to resolve any remaining issues,” he said.

Sardar Yousaf also noted that he has held the portfolio for only a month but has taken swift action. “Prime Minister has entrusted me with the responsibility of ensuring a smooth Hajj. I visited Saudi Arabia myself and reviewed the arrangements. A large number of Pakistani pilgrims are already there.”

He mentioned efforts by himself, scholar Allama Tahir Ashrafi, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in securing additional Hajj quota. “With the efforts of the Saudi Hajj Minister, Pakistan has received an additional quota for 10,000 pilgrims,” he said, clarifying that this was not an entirely new or separate quota, but rather part of the private Hajj allocations.

Sardar Yousaf concluded by reiterating his commitment: “We will follow all instructions based on the report submitted by the committee formed by the Prime Minister.”