Hajj Policy Formulation Mandatory Within Six Weeks of Operation Completion
Supreme Court of Pakistan Rumbles; Private Scheme Revived After Saudi Award Win
LAHORE: In strict accordance with the Supreme Court’s 2014 landmark judgment in the amicable settlement case, the formulation of the national Hajj policy must be finalized within six weeks of the conclusion of the Hajj operation.
According to the apex court’s directives, extensive consultation with all stakeholders, alongside comprehensive feedback from pilgrims and master trainers, remains a mandatory prerequisite for the policy.
In preceding years, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony routinely organized post-Hajj consultative workshops across all four provinces to draft policy frameworks based on these collective recommendations.
However, officials indicate that adhering to this practice appears unfeasible this year due to the accelerated timeline enforced by Saudi authorities.
Concurrently, a faction within the Ministry of Religious Affairs is reportedly seeking to open a Pandora’s box by allocating Hajj quotas to newly established tour companies. Under the prescribed Supreme Court guidelines, any such expansion requires a mandatory third-party verification within one month for all applications received 15 days post-advertisement.
Amid these developments, startling revelations have emerged from the market, suggesting that an illicit cartel has commenced bidding on Hajj quotas. Confirmed reports indicate that a quota for 50 pilgrims is being black-marketed for sums ranging between 5 million and 10 million Pakistani rupees.
This transpires even as the strict Saudi timeline mandates that all financial clearances be finalized by July 15, with bookings conclusively closed by August 30.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s private Hajj scheme has received a new lease on life after securing a top-three position among 116 international organizations to win the prestigious Saudi “Latham” (Labbaika) Excellence Award.
Following this global recognition, which marks 20 years of successful commercial operations, the Ministry has consented to restore the private sector’s quota to 50 percent for Hajj 2027, reversing the reductions implemented during the 2026 season.
Despite this breakthrough, an influential capitalist syndicate remains active in conspiring against the 904 registered private Hajj organizers. However, legal experts note that the Supreme Court’s binding judgment continues to serve as an insurmountable bridge—a Pul-Sirat—thwarting their maneuvers.
