Religious Affairs Minister Confirms Official Communication with Riyadh
Pakistan has officially requested Saudi Arabia to increase its annual Hajj quota, arguing that the current allocation does not reflect the country’s growing population. The request was confirmed on Friday by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, who stated that a formal letter has been sent to the Saudi authorities.
Speaking to the media, Minister Yousaf explained that the existing quota of 230,000 pilgrims is no longer sufficient for a nation with a population exceeding 230 million. “We have written to the Saudi government, asking them to reconsider Pakistan’s Hajj quota in proportion to our current population. We are now waiting for an official response,” he said.
Quota Distribution Based on Population, No Increases Yet Announced Globally
The minister clarified that Saudi Arabia allocates Hajj quotas to all participating countries based on their population sizes, and any changes are typically announced following a comprehensive review by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
“So far, Saudi Arabia has not announced any quota increases for any country,” Sardar Yousaf noted. “We understand that this is a global process and await their final policy decision. Pakistan will respect and cooperate with whatever decision the Kingdom makes.”
He emphasized that the Pakistani government remains committed to providing maximum facilitation for pilgrims and stands ready to handle an increased number of pilgrims, should the request be approved. The Religious Affairs Ministry has already begun logistical preparations in anticipation of a positive outcome.
In past years, Pakistan has repeatedly pushed for a larger quota, especially in light of its expanding population and the high demand among citizens for Hajj participation.
Pakistan is among the top countries in terms of Muslim population, and its citizens routinely participate in Hajj in large numbers. Officials hope that the Saudi government will take this into consideration during the upcoming review process.
