KARACHI, Feb 13 (APP): Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, Friday, said that arrangements for Hajj 2026 have been completed, with more than 179,000 pilgrims expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under government and private schemes.
The minister, while speaking to the media during a visit to the New Haji Camp, informed that Pakistan’s total Hajj quota for 2026 stands at 179,210. Of these, 119,210 pilgrims will perform Hajj under the government scheme, while 60,000 will travel through private tour operators. Around 29,000 pilgrims will depart from Sindh province, he added.
According to Sardar Yousuf, the first phase of Hajj training was completed between 16 January and 2 February, with 24,000 pilgrims participating. The second phase, scheduled after Ramazan, will focus on the practical performance of Hajj rituals, awareness of Saudi regulations and the importance of discipline during the pilgrimage.
All applications under the official Hajj scheme had been processed and the biometric verification of 29,000 pilgrims completed, he said, adding that arrangements for catering, accommodation and transport in Saudi Arabia had been finalized.
The minister framed the ministry’s approach in moral terms, telling reporters that “worship leads to heaven, while service leads to Allah,” and said the ministry was guided by this principle in facilitating pilgrims.
He also credited the Saudi-led “Road to Mecca” initiative with streamlining immigration procedures for Pakistani pilgrims departing from Karachi and Islamabad, allowing them to proceed directly to their accommodation upon arrival.
The minister expressed gratitude to His Highness King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for what he described as continued support and facilitation for pilgrims.
Referring to last year’s Hajj operation, Sardar Yousuf said that excellent arrangements had been made previous year which were not only acknowledged by the federal cabinet but Pakistan was awarded an excellence award by Saudi authorities for its Hajj management. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was personally monitoring preparations and strenuous efforts were underway to further improve facilities for pilgrims in the coming season, he vowed.
Responding to a media query Sardar Yousuf said that the federal government was taking multiple measures to facilitate the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and different federal departments and organizations had completed a number of projects in the province.
On the contrary the PTI, that was enjoying its third consecutive term in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has absolutely failed in the province as after 18th constitution amendment health, education, potable water, basic infrastructure and other many subjects were devolved to the provinces and they were receiving ample funds in this regard as well. Despite tall claims, the PTI government has not carried out development works in KP, rather they have deteriorated the situation in the province, he stated.