ISLAMABAD, Jan 28 (APP): Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Wednesday attributed the improved performance of the ministry over the past year to transparency, promotion of interfaith harmony and effective governance, reaffirming the commitment to ensuring better facilities for pilgrims and promoting the true message of Islam.
While sharing the performance of the ministry from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, with the media, the minister said that for the first time in Pakistan’s history an International Qirat Competition was held from November 24 to 29, 2025 at the Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad, with participants from 37 countries.
He said such initiatives enhanced youth interest in religious activities and projected Pakistan’s positive religious image at the international level, adding that more countries would be included in future competitions.
Sardar Yousuf said national-level competitions of Hifz-ul-Quran and Husn-e-Qirat were also held in September 2025 after provincial rounds, featuring 10 categories for men, women, Huffaz, Qaris and youth.
According to the minister, prominent participants from previous national competitions were nominated to represent Pakistan in international contests in Dubai, Russia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Morocco.
Highlighting steps taken to promote the Seerat of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Sardar Yousaf said the 50th Seerat Conference was held at the Convention Centre, Islamabad, under the OIC-declared theme “Nabi-ur-Rahma,” marking 1,500 years since the blessed birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
He said international delegations from Palestine, Egypt, Bangladesh and Bahrain, along with scholars and religious leaders from all schools of thought in Pakistan, participated in the conference.
A National Quran and Seerat Exhibition was also organized, while federal and provincial governments observed Ashra-e-Rehmat-ul-lil-Alameen and arranged Seerat and Naat gatherings across the country to promote peace, tolerance and harmony.
The minister said a research paper competition was organized to address contemporary issues in the light of the Seerat of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), adding that artificial intelligence–based systems and plagiarism detection mechanisms were introduced to ensure transparency in academia and within the ministry.
He said the National Council of Ulema and Mashaikh was reconstituted in 2025 to strengthen efforts for social harmony.
During the year, the council held two meetings and unanimously agreed on recommendations to counter extremism, terrorism and hate-driven narratives, while promoting responsible religious dialogue, contributing to enhanced religious tolerance.
Sardar Yousaf said a national consensus was achieved on the authentic and standardized printing of the Holy Quran.
He added that a verified soft copy of the approved text was made available on the ministry’s website, while an authenticated digital Quran and mobile application were also launched.
An amended Quran Act has been enforced to ensure error-free printing and work on framing its implementation rules is underway.
Referring to Hajj arrangements, the minister said Pakistan earned international recognition for its outstanding arrangements during Hajj 2025 as the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah awarded the country an Excellence Award.
He said the Saudi Deputy Minister for Hajj and Umrah and senior officials visited the Pakistan Hajj Mission in Makkah and congratulated the team.
Sardar Yousuf added that digital facilities and a transparent monitoring system were introduced, while the Pak Hajj Mobile App provided pilgrims with complete information related to guidance, training, accommodation, flights, tents and rituals.
Reforms in the private Hajj scheme also resulted in a reduction in complaints.
For Hajj 2026, the minister said preparations were underway according to the Saudi timeline, with registration completed for 119,000 government pilgrims and 60,000 private pilgrims.
He said arrangements for food, transportation and other services were finalized through a competitive process.
During Hajj 2025, the minister said refunds amounting to Rs 3.5 billion were returned to 75 percent of Pakistani pilgrims, with individual refunds ranging from Rs 12,000 to Rs 110,000.
He added that training sessions with audio-visual facilities were conducted at 147 locations nationwide, and well-trained pilgrims displayed discipline during Hajj.
He said the Route to Makkah project was expanded with the inclusion of Karachi Airport after Islamabad, while efforts were underway to include Lahore Airport.
Under the Hajj and Umrah Act, he said Umrah Rules 2025 were drafted and sent to the Cabinet Committee for approval, while verified contracts of 245 Umrah companies were published on the ministry’s website. Until approval of the rules, Umrah-related complaints are being referred to provincial tourism departments.
The minister said the traditional Salar system for pilgrimages to Iraq and Iran was being abolished and replaced with a digital system for Ziyarat Group Organizers. Out of 1,413 applications, 221 companies have been registered so far, with the number expected to exceed 300. He added that an online portal and mobile application for Ziyarat facilitation would be launched soon.
He said the Nizam-e-Salat Committee was revived and implementation of uniform prayer and Azan timings was initiated from the Kohsar Block at the Pak Secretariat.
The minister said the federal cabinet approved the Interfaith Harmony Policy and Religious Tolerance Strategy on February 12, 2025, while the Act establishing the National Commission for Minorities was passed by Parliament on December 1, 2025.
For minority welfare, he said Rs 100 million were allocated in the fiscal year 2024–25 and Rs 85 million in 2025–26, adding that the government officially celebrated minority festivals including Holi, Easter and Eid-e-Ridvan.
He said interfaith harmony conferences were held in Peshawar, Lahore, Karachi and Quetta, Minority Day was observed at Aiwan-e-Sadr on August 11, while Diwali and Christmas were celebrated at the Prime Minister’s House.