The development has also been shared by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Religious Affairs.

During the meeting, a comprehensive review of Hajj 2025 and upcoming plans was presented.

Minister Yousaf welcomed Hajj 2025 as a resounding success, revealing that Pakistan received a prestigious Excellence Award from the Saudi government for the first time.

He said, “The arrangements made for Pakistani pilgrims were widely praised, and any complaints were resolved on the spot.” He added that air-conditioned tents and enhanced facilities were provided at major pilgrimage sites, including Arafat, marking a significant upgrade in pilgrim welfare.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed that all future Hajj arrangements be made in line with Saudi guidelines, it was shared. A new Hajj policy is being drafted, and committee members have been invited to provide suggestions.

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While 67,000 private pilgrims initially remained without approval, a 10,000-person additional quota was later granted. However, 63,000 applicants still could not perform Hajj this year, the minister said.

The Road to Makkah initiative — offering pre-departure immigration clearance — was available to pilgrims from Karachi and Islamabad, with efforts underway to extend it to Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta next year. He added that Saudi Arabia released its new Hajj policy on 12th Dhul Hijjah, focusing on world-class services, and Pakistan is aligning its systems accordingly, he said.