Islamabad – The government has announced that more than 60,000 Pakistani pilgrims who were unable to perform Hajj in 2025 will be given priority in Hajj 2026. The decision was made during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, chaired by Malik Amir Dogar, with Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf also in attendance.
The committee directed the Ministry of Religious Affairs to resolve issues faced by 67,000 pilgrims under the private Hajj scheme and to explore options for refunding their payments. The suggestion was made to ensure these individuals are given priority next year to compensate for their deprivation.
Federal Minister Sardar Yousaf informed the committee that 365 million Saudi Riyals belonging to 63,000 private scheme pilgrims remain stuck in Saudi Arabia and that the matter is still unresolved. He added that private tour operators’ associations have also agreed that those left out in 2025 should be given priority in the next Hajj.
The minister further stated that over 455,000 people have already registered for Hajj 2026, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed that the affected pilgrims be prioritized. A government-formed inquiry committee’s findings will soon be presented to the parliamentary body for further action.For those seeking to register for Hajj 2026, the official registration deadline was initially set for July 9.
However, in a recent update, the registration deadline has been extended to July 11 without any additional charges, allowing more time for applicants.
During the meeting, the committee also requested a comparative briefing on Hajj costs in countries like India, Bangladesh, and Iran, and considered proposals to reduce Hajj expenses — including traveling by sea as a cost-saving measure.
Officials from the Ministry suggested that if luxury accommodations are avoided and mid-range facilities are chosen, costs could be significantly reduced. Delegations, including the Interior Minister and the Religious Affairs Secretary, are currently in Tehran exploring alternative arrangements.
It’s worth noting that thousands of Pakistani pilgrims were unable to perform Hajj in 2025 due to technical and diplomatic issues, which sparked public outrage. In response, the government formed an inquiry committee, whose recommendations will help guide future policies and reforms.
