Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reprimanded on Friday officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for his alleged negligence that endangers the departure of 67,000 Potential Pakistani pilgrims this year this year and said he will address the matter with the Saudi government to solve the problem.
The Prime Minister said during a meeting in the PM Chamber with the Federal Minister of Religious Affairs, the Permanent Committee of the Senate on Religious Affairs and representatives of private operators of Haj.
According to media reports, Haj’s private operators have not met the requirements of Saudi Arabia that can deprive 67,000 pilgrims with the intention of HAJ this year.
However, Haj’s private operators have blamed the Saudi government for the delay, claiming that they had sent payments before the deadline, but the Saudi software system was blocked.
The final date to issue visas was on April 18, according to the Saudi deadline, leaving the fate of the 67,000 uncertain pilgrims.
The advice of Pakistan Ulema has also urged Prime Minister Shehbaz to realize the issue and appeal to the Saudi government for special consideration.
In 2025, the Pakistan Hajj quota was established in 179,210, with half of the quota destined to be administered by Hajj private operators. However, only 23,000 people were able to go under private operators.
A source in the prime minister’s office said Sunrise that the delegation requested the assistance of Mr. Sharif to send to the affected pilgrims for Haj.
The Federal Minister, Sardar Yousaf, the president of the Senate Committee, Maulana Atour Rehman, and the Bushra Butt committee member asked the Prime Minister to request permission from the Saudi Government for private quota pilgrims.
The prime minister assured the delegation its full cooperation on the matter.
“This problem has caused shame for the country,” said Prime Minister, according to the source. “The Government will do what is possible to solve the problem. Saudi authorities will be contacted for the private scheme Haj Pilgrims.”
The source said that Sharif also expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and rebuked its officials for not pursuing the issue proactively with the Saudi authorities.
It has been learned that the starting process for Pakistani pilgrims will begin in the next 72 hours.
PIA privatization
In a separate development, in the midst of reports that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has begun to generate profits after years of losses, Prime Minister Shehbaz ordered the authorities to guarantee that the privatization of the national operator is completed within the designated period.
By chairing a meeting to review the ongoing privatization efforts, Sharif emphasized transparency in the process.
“Transparency must be fundamental for the procedure for the privatization of PIA,” said the prime minister, adding that the future privatizations of state companies must also be broadcast live on television and digital platforms.
He also stressed the importance of investor participation and roads as part of the dissemination strategy.
The authorities informed the Prime Minister about the strategy of dissemination of investors, developed with the help of a consultant and shared details of the tender criteria, the timeline and the conditions for participation.
Sensitive price index
Early in the day, Mr. Sharif expressed his satisfaction with the significant fall in the annual rate of the sensitive price index, which fell to -3.52 percent in April 2025, compared to 26.94PC in the same month last year.
Posted in Dawn, April 26, 2025
