ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Friday issued the list of verified Umrah tour operators for the year 2025–26 (1447 AH), aiming to protect intending pilgrims from fraudulent practices and financial exploitation.
According to the ministry, agreements of 53 Umrah companies from different regions of the country have been attested in the first phase. These operators, based in cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar, were approved after undergoing a rigorous scrutiny process to ensure compliance with government standards and regulations.
Speaking on the development, Ministry spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt urged citizens planning to perform Umrah to book their packages only through verified companies listed by the ministry. “The verification process has been carried out to safeguard pilgrims from scams, fraud, and financial losses,” he explained.
The spokesperson clarified that the attested list is valid for one year (1447 AH) and will remain the official reference for pilgrims until the next verification cycle. He also encouraged other Umrah companies to complete their documentation and agreements as per ministry requirements in order to be added to future phases of the list.
To facilitate easy access, the ministry has uploaded the verified list of operators to its official website, where the document can be downloaded in PDF format.
The announcement comes shortly after the ministry revealed earlier this week that more than 114,500 applications have already been submitted under the Government Hajj Scheme 2026, with only around 3,500 seats still available. Designated banks have been directed to continue accepting applications until the remaining quota is filled. “The process will close immediately once the last seats are taken,” the spokesperson warned, urging applicants to submit their forms without delay.
With the release of the verified Umrah operators list, the government seeks to ensure transparency, protect pilgrims from exploitation, and provide them with safe and reliable services as they prepare for their spiritual journey.
