ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has approved its Hajj 2026 policy, confirming arrangements for around 120,000 pilgrims under the official scheme, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said Saturday.
Speaking during a podcast with state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, Yousaf said Pakistan’s Hajj quota for 2026 stands at 179,210 pilgrims, in line with Saudi Arabian guidelines.
“Out of the total quota, around 120,000 pilgrims will perform Hajj under the government scheme, while approximately 60,000 will travel through private operators,” he said.
Preparations for the pilgrimage are underway nationwide, with mandatory training sessions being conducted across multiple districts to guide pilgrims on religious, logistical, and health requirements.
Under the “Road to Makkah” initiative, around 38,000 pilgrims will complete immigration and departure procedures in Islamabad before flying to Saudi Arabia. “At present, this facility is available only in Islamabad and Karachi, but efforts are underway to extend it to Lahore,” Yousaf said.
Highlighting his ministry’s broader role, the minister noted efforts to promote interfaith harmony.
“The ministry provides a platform for all religious minorities to promote unity and cohesion," he said. "The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights for all minority communities.”
He added that minority communities also benefit from scholarships, financial assistance, funding for worship places, dedicated job quotas, and parliamentary representation.
On regional issues, Yousaf commented on the challenges faced by religious minorities in India, citing incidents of vandalism and attacks on churches during Christmas last year.
The minister also noted that the Ministry of Religious Affairs has introduced a centralized system to organize pilgrimages by Zaireen to holy sites in Iran and Iraq.
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