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ISLAMABAD: In perhaps first-of-its-kind situation, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has failed to decide on the quota of intending Hajj pilgrims, leaving airlines, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), in a lurch.
According to media reports gathered by MM News, the government has received fewer applications than the allocated quota for the first time in the country’s history, leading to uncertainty and confusion among airlines. Sources claim that the ministry has not informed the airlines about the expected number of pilgrims due to the low number of applications received.
The airlines are struggling to prepare a final plan for the Hajj flight operation due to the lack of data. National carrier PIA and other airlines are waiting for details from the ministry regarding the Hajj flight operations. As a result, fewer pilgrims than the quota are expected to leave Pakistan this year.
It may be mentioned here that this year, the Saudi government had given Pakistan a quota of 179,000 pilgrims for the Hajj, but due to an extraordinary increase in expenses, fewer applications have been received. As a result, the government has decided to surrender 10% of the quota to Saudi Arabia.
Data available in public domain shows that in the regular scheme, 72,869 people submitted applications, while 28,679 additional applications were submitted against the quota of 44,190. Additionally, 8,000 people submitted applications under the sponsorship scheme, according to sources.
The indecisiveness of the Ministry of Religious Affairs has left intending pilgrims and airlines in a state of confusion and uncertainty.