Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has said that the government is in contact with Saudi authorities to seek an increase in Pakistan’s Hajj quota to 230,000 in line with the country’s population. “With the increase in quotas for other countries, Pakistan’s quota will also be significantly enhanced,” the minister said, expressing hope while addressing a Hajj rituals training workshop and talking to media on Wednesday at the Hajj Complex. Sardar Yousaf said the Ministry of Religious Affairs is actively pursuing the inclusion of Lahore station in the dual-immigration system like Islamabad and Karachi to provide maximum facilitation to Hajj pilgrims.
Sharing details of Hajj 2026, the minister said that under the Route to Makkah project, more than 38,000 intending pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia from Islamabad. “Many pilgrims from Peshawar also prefer departing from Islamabad to avoid long immigration queues upon arrival in Saudi Arabia,” the minister added. The minister clarified that accommodations with equal facilities have been arranged for all government intending pilgrims in Al-Azizia and Makkah.
Addressing participants on the training and discipline of Hajj pilgrims, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said that Hajj is a demanding spiritual journey that requires patience and endurance. He noted that the Ministry of Religious Affairs has prepared 22 guiding principles aimed at making the performance of Hajj rituals easier for pilgrims.
The federal minister urged the intending pilgrims to strictly observe the laws and regulations of the Holy Sites and to focus on worship in accordance with the Sunnah.
He expressed concern that some pilgrims remain preoccupied with taking photos and videos on their mobile phones during Tawaf or while visiting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) shrine, which, he said, distraction from the true purpose of worship. He added that while kissing the Hajj-e-Aswad, pilgrims should avoid causing inconvenience to others as greeting it from a distance is also a Sunnah.
Sharing details of the training programme, Sardar Yousaf said the second phase will begin after Ramadan, during which pilgrims will receive comprehensive guidance on procedures, vaccinations, and other facilities.