ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed serious concern over the mishandling of Pakistan’s private Hajj quota, which has put the travel plans of 67,000 pilgrims at risk. He criticized the Ministry of Religious Affairs for its alleged negligence and pledged to personally raise the issue with Saudi authorities to seek a resolution.
The assurance came during a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, attended by the federal religious affairs minister, members of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, and representatives of private Hajj operators.
According to media reports, private Hajj operators failed to fulfill key requirements set by Saudi Arabia, potentially disqualifying thousands of Pakistani pilgrims. The operators, however, blamed technical failures on the Saudi side, claiming that payment submissions were made on time, but a crash in the Saudi e-portal system caused delays.
April 18 marked the final deadline for visa issuance, leaving the fate of these pilgrims uncertain.
The Pakistan Ulema Council has also urged the prime minister to intervene and appeal to the Saudi government for an exception in this case.
For 2025, Pakistan was allocated a total Hajj quota of 179,210, with 50% designated for private operators. However, only 23,000 pilgrims were accommodated under the private scheme, far below the expected number.
A source at the PM’s Office confirmed that the visiting delegation requested the prime minister’s help in ensuring the affected pilgrims could still perform Hajj. Federal Minister Sardar Yousaf, Senate Committee Chairman Maulana Ataur Rehman, and member Bushra Butt also appealed for intervention.
Prime Minister Shehbaz assured full cooperation, stating, “This issue has caused embarrassment for the country. We will do everything possible to resolve it.” He emphasized that the Saudi government would be contacted to seek accommodations for the affected pilgrims under the private Hajj scheme.
The source also noted the prime minister’s dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, criticizing officials for failing to engage with Saudi counterparts effectively.
Meanwhile, preparations for the Hajj are expected to resume, with departures scheduled to begin within the next 72 hours.
PIA Privatisation Efforts
In a separate meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz reviewed the ongoing privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which has reportedly begun posting profits after years of financial losses. He instructed authorities to ensure the process is completed within the stipulated timeframe.
“Transparency must be the cornerstone of PIA’s privatisation,” the prime minister stressed. He also proposed that future privatisation processes for all state-owned enterprises be broadcast live on television and digital platforms to ensure public trust.
Officials briefed the PM on the investor outreach strategy — developed with a consultant’s help — and provided updates on the bidding timeline, eligibility conditions, and criteria for participation.
Inflation Trends
Earlier in the day, the prime minister expressed satisfaction over the decline in inflation, noting a sharp drop in the Sensitive Price Index, which recorded a -3.52% rate in April 2025 — a significant improvement compared to 26.94% in the same period last year.
