Saudi Arabia has granted Hajj clearance to an additional 2,078 Pakistani pilgrims, according to sources within Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The approval comes as a major relief to many who were previously at risk of missing out on the spiritual journey this year.
The clearance was given to private Hajj organizers who successfully met Saudi Arabia’s strict criteria and operational requirements. With this recent inclusion, the total quota allocated to Pakistan’s approved private Hajj tour operators has now reached 25,698 pilgrims.
Sources from the ministry revealed that due to limited quotas and strict regulations, nearly 67,000 applicants were initially unable to secure a spot for Hajj this year. However, with this latest clearance, that number has dropped to approximately 65,000, giving renewed hope to more aspiring pilgrims.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs continues to engage with Saudi authorities in hopes of further increasing the quota, especially for those registered under private Hajj schemes.
Officials also reassured that they are monitoring all approved private organizers to ensure transparency, safety, and compliance with both countries' regulations.
