Pakistan has approved its Hajj Policy 2026 in line with guidelines issued by Saudi Arabia, according to Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.
Speaking in a podcast interview with Radio Pakistan’s News and Current Affairs Channel, the minister confirmed that Pakistan’s total Hajj quota for 2026 is 179,210 pilgrims.
He said approximately 120,000 pilgrims will perform Hajj under the government scheme, while around 60,000 pilgrims will go through private Hajj operators.
He added that Hajj training for 2026 is currently underway nationwide, with mandatory training sessions being conducted in various districts.
The minister said about 38,000 pilgrims will travel from Islamabad under the Road to Makkah project, which allows pilgrims to complete Saudi immigration procedures in Pakistan before departure.
Currently, the facility is available only in Islamabad and Karachi, but efforts are underway to extend the service to Lahore.
Highlighting the ministry’s role in promoting interfaith harmony, Yousaf said it provides a platform for all religious minorities in Pakistan to strengthen unity and social cohesion. He emphasized that the Constitution guarantees equal rights for all minority communities.
He further noted that the government offers scholarships to children from minority communities, allocates funds for the rehabilitation of worship places, and provides financial assistance to deserving individuals. Minority communities also benefit from separate job quotas and representation in parliament, he added.
The minister also announced that the Ministry of Religious Affairs has introduced a new centralized system to organize pilgrimages by Zaireen to holy sites in Iran and Iraq.
