Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an immediate investigation into the reduction of Pakistan’s private Hajj quota for 2025, which has prevented thousands of citizens from performing the pilgrimage under the private scheme.
The Prime Minister has established a three-member committee headed by the Secretary of the Cabinet Division, with the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue and the Federal Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan as members. The committee has been directed to complete its inquiry within three days and identify those responsible for the failure.
According to Express News, the investigation comes after the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony failed to secure the expected private Hajj quota from Saudi Arabia despite the timely completion of necessary procedures on the Pakistani side.
PM Sharif expressed strong dissatisfaction with the situation and has specifically instructed the committee to determine why the ministry failed to implement Saudi Arabia’s Hajj policy in a timely manner and why the request for the private quota was delayed.
The Cabinet Division has issued a formal notification regarding the committee’s formation, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs has been directed to provide full cooperation during the investigation.
