The Ministry of Religious Affairs in Pakistan has been ordered to refund Rs. 36.43 billion (approx. $130 million) to more than 67,000 aspiring pilgrims who were unable to perform Hajj this year due to administrative delays.
The directive was issued by a sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, which met on Friday.
Senator Aon Abbas Buppi, who chairs the sub-committee, announced that the full amount must be reimbursed to the affected individuals by August 15, without any deductions for currency fluctuations or service charges.
The issue arose after private Hajj tour operators in Pakistan failed to meet new criteria set by Saudi Arabia. According to Religious Affairs Secretary Dr. Attaur Rehman, the Saudi government allocated a total of 179,210 Haj slots to Pakistan for 2025, of which 90,830 were designated for private operators.
However, a revised Saudi policy required tour operators to manage groups of at least 500 pilgrims, up to a maximum of 2,000. None of Pakistan’s 903 registered private Hajj operators met this condition, leading to widespread cancellations.
The sub-committee emphasized that the stranded funds — currently held in Saudi Arabia — must be returned to the pilgrims in full, bringing relief to thousands who had been left in limbo.
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