Saudi authorities have strongly refuted reports claiming that the Government of Pakistan mistakenly transferred Hajj funds to an incorrect account linked to OPEC. Terming the allegations “baseless,” officials clarified that no such error occurred in the fund transfer process.
A senior official from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah emphasized that the Kingdom’s electronic Hajj platform operates under the “highest standards of transparency and accuracy.” The ministry assured that all financial transactions and administrative processes related to Hajj are strictly monitored and regulated.
Diplomatic sources reiterated that the electronic Hajj system in Saudi Arabia is fully reliable and transparent, adding that recent claims circulating in some Pakistani media outlets regarding funds being sent to the wrong Saudi account are unfounded.
Responding to concerns over the underutilization of Pakistan’s Hajj quota, Saudi officials pointed to the importance of adhering to the timeline for finalizing agreements and services at the end of each Hajj season. They also emphasized that the quota allocation and usage process must be managed efficiently by all participating countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a special committee to investigate why Pakistan failed to utilize its full Hajj quota this year.
