Members of the Hajj & Umrah Organisers Association Pakistan have raised serious concerns amid the ongoing Hajj controversy, disclosing that approximately 67,000 intending pilgrims are at risk of missing Hajj 2025 as they have not yet been issued Saudi visas — despite massive fund transfers made on their behalf.
In a press conference held in Peshawar, Kamran Zaib, a representative of the association, revealed that over SAR2.67 billion (nearly PKR200 billion) had been transferred to Saudi Arabia. This figure significantly exceeds earlier reports, which cited SAR480 million (PKR36 billion) as the amount paid for accommodations and other services.
Zaib explained that the transferred amount included contributions from both the pilgrims and the organizers. Some private Hajj operators, he claimed, transferred funds in advance, anticipating that they would collect the dues from pilgrims at a later stage. He also highlighted that 30% of the 89,000 registered pilgrims are overseas Pakistanis, whose funds are also at stake.
Additional payments include Rs220 million in advance tax to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Rs1.58 billion remitted to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Despite fulfilling all procedural and financial obligations, the organizers lamented the absence of a clear mechanism for refunds or reassurances.
Zaib urged the government to ensure the protection of pilgrims’ funds, especially for those coming from abroad.
The organisers concluded their press briefing with a direct appeal to Army Chief General Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, requesting immediate intervention to resolve the crisis, restore order, and hold accountable those responsible for the mismanagement.
