Latest news with #SardarMuhammadYousaf
Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PM warns against negligence after thousands miss Hajj pilgrimage
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting on Hajj arrangements for the upcoming year in Islamabad on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Photo courtesy: Radio Pakistan Listen to article In the wake of serious administrative lapses that prevented more than 67,000 prospective pilgrims from performing Hajj this year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Ministry of Religious Affairs to immediately begin planning and logistical preparations for Hajj 2026. Chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad on Saturday, the prime minister said such negligence would not be tolerated in the future, and instructed the ministry to develop a comprehensive roadmap aligned with the Hajj policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 'Serving the Hajj pilgrims is a sacred responsibility. Any negligence in this regard next year will be unacceptable,' the prime minister was quoted as saying during the meeting. Read More: 'Private Hajj quota' lost due to negligence In 2025, Saudi Arabia had allocated a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims to Pakistan, traditionally split evenly between the government and private Hajj operators. However, delays and mismanagement in meeting procedural requirements led to the underutilisation of the quota—particularly in the private sector. As a result, the private sector's share dropped from the allocated 89,801 slots to just 25,698, leaving over 67,000 pilgrims unable to travel. The lapse prompted the prime minister to form a three-member inquiry committee in April to investigate the failure to comply with the Kingdom's Hajj policy. To prevent a repeat of this year's debacle, the prime minister directed that early and detailed arrangements be made, including immediate coordination with Saudi authorities. He also instructed the regularisation of the private Hajj scheme to ensure better oversight and compliance. He also ordered the presentation of a plan of action soon after the period of Hajj for the upcoming year is determined. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and Musadik Malik, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and other relevant departments. A formal plan of action is expected to be submitted soon.
Arab News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
PM Sharif orders early Hajj planning, calls for private scheme reform
KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the religious affairs ministry to begin preparations for the 2026 Hajj immediately, while calling for urgent reforms to the country's private Hajj scheme following a situation that left thousands of pilgrimage slots unused this year. Pakistan received a quota of 179,210 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025, which was evenly divided between the government and private Hajj operators. While the government filled its full allocation of over 88,000 pilgrims, a major portion of the private quota remained unutilized due to delays by companies in meeting payment and registration deadlines. Private operators, however, blamed the situation on technical glitches such as payment issues and communication breakdowns. 'Preparations for next year's Hajj operation must begin immediately,' the prime minister said, according to a statement released by his office. 'The operational plan should be developed in accordance with the Hajj policy issued by Saudi Arabia,' he continued. 'No negligence in serving pilgrims next year will be tolerated.' Sharif also emphasized the need to 'regularize' the private Hajj scheme. Previously, Pakistan's religious affairs minister, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, had confirmed that over 67,000 private-sector slots went unused, despite a last-minute effort to reclaim some of the allocation. The shortfall prompted criticism and concerns over regulation and the capacity of private Hajj companies. The prime minister has also asked the religious affairs ministry to submit a detailed Hajj action plan with clear deadlines and start preparing for next year's Islamic pilgrimage.
Arab News
10-06-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistan hails 2025 Hajj as ‘historic' after winning Saudi award for best services
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Wednesday described the 2025 Hajj as 'historic compared to previous years' for Pakistani pilgrims, citing improved services, enhanced facilities and formal recognition from Saudi authorities for the country's pilgrimage management. Addressing a post-Hajj press conference in Makkah, the minister said Pakistan's Hajj Mission had received an Excellence Award from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, ranking first among the seven missions honored this year, in recognition of its services to over 115,000 Pakistani pilgrims. 'The 2025 Hajj was historic compared to previous years, and Pakistani pilgrims were provided exceptional services and facilities,' Yousaf said. 'This award from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is a matter of pride for Pakistan.' Saudi Arabia hosted over 88,000 government-sponsored Pakistani pilgrims this year, he said, noting that for the first time, air-conditioned tents, gypsum board partitions, sofa-cum-beds and overhead shelves were introduced in Mina. Facilities at Arafat also included enhanced air-conditioning, shaded walkways and grassy areas. Yousaf said pilgrims in the lowest payment category were offered services typically reserved for higher-tier packages. He maintained the Hajj package for government-sponsored pilgrims remained more affordable than those offered in neighboring countries, while offering superior services. In Madinah, all Pakistani pilgrims were housed in three- and five-star hotels near the Prophet's Mosque and given the opportunity to visit Riyaz-ul-Jannah. To improve coordination, Pakistan introduced a 'Nazim Scheme' for the first time, assigning a group leader to every 188 pilgrims. More than 400 medical professionals were also deployed to ensure health care services for pilgrims. Yousaf appreciated the Pakistani pilgrims for their cooperation and adherence to Saudi guidelines during the pilgrimage.
Arab News
10-06-2025
- Arab News
Pakistan Hajj Mission awarded for excellence as Saudi Arabia unveils 2026 pilgrimage policy
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Hajj Mission received an 'Excellence Award' during a ceremony at the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to mark the completion of this year's pilgrimage, officials said on Monday, as Riyadh unveiled a new policy and timeline for Hajj 2026. The recognition came at the close of the 2025 Hajj, which took place from June 4 to June 9 and drew millions of pilgrims to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah Pakistan was among several countries managing large-scale contingents during the annual religious gathering. 'The Excellence Award is a recognition of the outstanding performance by our administrative staff, Hajj assistants and group leaders, as well as the continued support of the government,' said Director General of Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro, who received the award on behalf of the Pakistan Hajj Mission, according to an official statement. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Religious Affairs Secretary Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman, and Director of Hajj in Makkah Azizullah Khan were present at the ceremony, held in Makkah. According to Soomro, Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdul Fattah Mashat also shared the timeline and policy framework for the 2026 pilgrimage season. 'The early release of the Hajj 2026 policy right after this year's pilgrimage is meant to ensure timely preparations,' he said. Soomro added under the new guidelines, registration of Hajj operator profiles on the Masar platform would begin from 1st Muharram 1447 Hijri, the beginning of the new Islamic year, allowing companies and national missions to begin logistical planning well in advance. Saudi Arabia hosts the annual Hajj under an international quota system and collaborates closely with national authorities from Muslim-majority countries to organize travel, accommodation and safety for pilgrims. Pakistan, with one of the world's largest Hajj contingents, has traditionally relied on government and private-sector coordination to manage the pilgrimage process.
Arab News
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistani pilgrims pray for Palestinians, Muslim world on sacred Day of Arafat
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani pilgrims on Thursday vowed to pray for Palestinians and the wider Muslim world as they joined over a million fellow worshippers in Arafat on one of the most sacred days in Islam to seek forgiveness. The Day of Arafat, observed on the 9th of Dhu Al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, marks the spiritual peak of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Its central ritual, Wuquf, involves standing in devotion from noon until sunset near Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his farewell sermon. After sunset, pilgrims travel to Muzdalifah, located between Arafat and Mina, to collect pebbles for the symbolic 'stoning of the devil' ritual performed the following day. 'It is a big day for the Muslims around the world and those who are present here,' Pakistan's Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said while speaking to media from Mount Arafat. 'I urge Pakistani pilgrims that along with praying for their own families, they should also pray for the country, Muslim Ummah, especially people of Gaza, Palestine and Kashmir,' he added. Malik Aslam, a Pakistani pilgrim from Gujar Khan, a city in Rawalpindi District, said the situation in Gaza was deeply disturbing and that he would pray for Palestinians. 'All pilgrims should pray for all the Muslims, especially those in Palestine,' he told Arab News. 'Pilgrims should pray for the success of Muslims in all fields.' 'I am also praying for my parents and all those who left this world,' he added. Expressing his feelings from Mount Arafat, Muhammad Usman, another pilgrim from Gujrat district in Punjab, said he was thankful to God for blessing him with the opportunity to perform Hajj. 'Today, I am reflecting on my entire life and praying that Allah grant me a better, righteous life ahead,' he told Arab News, saying he would begin a new chapter of life after Hajj. 'I hope to leave here with all my known and unknown sins forgiven,' he added. Muhammad Abdullah, from Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said his day was going well, as the weather was not too hot. 'I will pray for the whole Ummah, following example of our Holy Prophet [PBUH],' he added. Speaking about the arrangements, Samad Wazir, a pilgrim from the northwestern Waziristan tribal district, expressed satisfaction with the facilities provided by both the Pakistani Hajj mission and Saudi authorities, hoping the same standard would continue in the coming days. 'It is very well arranged and there has been no problem at all in the tents and other places,' he said, adding that everyone had their own folding beds and received meals on time in the tents. 'Even on the buses, the arrangements were smooth, as everyone boarded in turn with the help of Hajj volunteers, who also guided us all the way to our tents,' he added. Munir Ahmed Bhatti, a pilgrim from Gujranwala city, also praised the Pakistani mission for the arrangements in Mina and Arafat. 'We gathered for Hajj and this time the government of Pakistan has done very good arrangements and we are satisfied,' he said, adding that pilgrims got good residences, food and transportation. Over 117,000 Pakistani pilgrims are currently in Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025.
