Pakistan Requests Increase in Hajj Quota to 230,000 Pilgrims
The Government of Pakistan has formally requested Saudi Arabia to increase its Hajj quota to 230,000 pilgrims for the 2025 pilgrimage, according to Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, as reported by state media.
Current Quota and Application Surge
For Hajj 2025, Saudi Arabia allocated 179,210 spots to Pakistan, with the quota split equally between government and private Hajj operators. Registration has already closed, with over 450,000 applications received—signaling strong demand for participation.
Quota Increase Based on Population
Speaking at an event at Darul Uloom Mansehra, Minister Yousaf emphasized that the quota increase request is based on Pakistan’s large population, with the aim of allowing more citizens to perform Hajj in the coming year.
He also highlighted that the rise in applications reflects renewed public confidence in the Ministry’s Hajj arrangements.
Digital Hajj Management in Progress
The minister further shared that Saudi authorities are actively working to digitize the Hajj management system, which is expected to improve the efficiency and convenience of services for future pilgrims.
Unused Private Sector Quota
Despite the overwhelming interest, a portion of the private Hajj operator quota for 2025 remained unused. Delays in payments and registration processes by some private companies were cited as the main cause. These firms reported facing technical and communication issues.
In contrast, the government sector successfully filled its allocation, accommodating over 88,000 pilgrims.
For the latest updates on Hajj 2025, stay connected to official channels and Ministry of Religious Affairs announcements. Let me know if you’d like a summary formatted for a travel website or news app.
