Govt forms high-level committee to review new Saudi Hajj policy

The federal government has constituted a high-level reform committee to evaluate Pakistan’s Hajj operations in light of new regulations introduced by the Saudi government for the 2024/2025 pilgrimage.

The committee, headed by Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik, has been tasked with examining the existing legal and regulatory framework governing Hajj arrangements.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the decision to form the committee was taken on the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In addition to Dr. Malik, the committee comprises Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, CEO Serena Hotels South and Central Asia Aziz Bolani, former federal secretary Shahid Khan, former director general Hajj Abrar Ahmed Mirza, and other relevant officers.

The move comes after thousands of Pakistani pilgrims were unable to perform Hajj this year due to alleged non-compliance by private tour operators with the revised Saudi guidelines. Reports indicate that at least 67,000 intending pilgrims were affected.

The committee has been assigned multiple responsibilities, including reviewing the challenges arising from the implementation of the new Saudi regulations and proposing long-term strategies for the involvement of private sector operators under the revised framework. Additionally, it will recommend amendments to the existing legal framework to align it with the new requirements laid out by Saudi authorities.

Officials said the initiative aims to ensure better coordination and smoother Hajj operations in the coming years, particularly through enhanced regulation of private tour operators.

The Saudi government has recently overhauled its Hajj management policies, introducing stricter requirements and digital monitoring systems for both foreign governments and private Hajj facilitators. This has prompted countries including Pakistan to revisit their domestic mechanisms to avoid future disruptions.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Religious Affairs announced the Hajj Policy 2025, which included a Rs100,000 increase in cost compared to the previous year. The announcement drew criticism from various quarters, especially in light of the difficulties faced by thousands of pilgrims who were left behind.