ISLAMABAD: With the first Hajj flights set to depart on April 18, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has submitted three final names to the Prime Minister for the pivotal role of Director General Hajj in Makkah — a position critical to managing Pakistan’s largest annual religious undertaking.
Media reports suggest the shortlisted candidates — Muhammad Ali, currently Punjab’s Secretary; Zulfiqar Khan, CFO at the Ministry of Religious Affairs; and Sajid Mansoor Asadi from the Economic Affairs Division — emerged from a rigorous selection process that began with nearly 50 applicants. Only nine cleared the LUMS-administered exam, and a six-member committee whittled the list down to the final trio after intensive interviews.
Incumbent DG Hajj, Abdul Wahab Soomro, has been granted a three-month extension to ensure continuity in planning — but concerns linger over the centralized nature of Hajj operations, which remain largely concentrated under the DG’s office in Jeddah despite the existence of a special oversight committee. With Pakistan’s 2026 quota set at 179,210 pilgrims — 119,210 under the government scheme and ~60,000 via private operators — time is running out to finalize leadership and logistics.
The Prime Minister’s decision is now urgent: delays risk disrupting flight coordination, accommodation, and ground operations for hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, therefore, the chosen candidate will inherit not just a title, but the weight of national trust — and the clock is ticking.
