Government Imposes Strict Internal Deadline Ahead of Saudi Cut-off
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued a firm directive to private Hajj operators in Pakistan, mandating the completion of all visa processing for the Hajj 2026 pilgrimage by March 15. This internal deadline is set five days ahead of the final, non-negotiable deadline of March 20 imposed by Saudi authorities.
A Proactive Move to Counter Holiday Delays
According to official correspondence, the directive aims to preempt any potential delays caused by the upcoming Eid holiday or other unforeseen circumstances. In a March 9 letter addressed to the Hajj Organisers Association of Pakistan (HOAP) and private Hajj companies, the ministry stated it was “imperative” to complete the process by March 15 to avoid last-minute complications.
The ministry had previously informed the HOAP on March 3 that the Saudi deadline of March 20 was “strictly unextendable” and that no relaxations would be granted. All companies have been advised to finalize visa processing for their pilgrims well in advance.
Operators Seek Leniency as Pressure Mounts
The tight timeline has prompted requests for flexibility from the organizers. A representative from the HOAP noted that with the ministry’s latest directive, they are effectively short by five days and have requested some relaxation. The HOAP has also been directed to submit daily reports to the ministry on visa issuance progress.
An official from the Ministry of Religious Affairs confirmed that the government is working diligently to complete the visa process for its regular Hajj scheme in line with Saudi directives. The official reported that biometrics for all over 119,000 intending pilgrims under the government scheme have been completed.
Scale of the Pilgrimage and Diplomatic Outreach
This year, approximately 60,000 Pakistanis are expected to perform Hajj under private schemes. Separately, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, currently in Makkah, led a delegation in a meeting with Saad Al-Shathri, a senior Islamic scholar and adviser to the Royal Court.
During the meeting, Minister Yousuf conveyed Pakistan’s sentiments regarding the regional situation and emphasized the country’s readiness to stand with Saudi Arabia, acknowledging the Kingdom’s historical support. The scholar reciprocated the sentiments and offered prayers for Pakistan’s prosperity and stability.
The ministry official added that preparations for Hajj 2027 will commence shortly after the conclusion of this year’s pilgrimage operations.
