ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs categorically denied false claims circulating on social media regarding Hajj meal arrangements, calling them baseless and misleading.
In a statement, Ministry spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt rejected the disinformation targeting the catering firm Baharat Asia, clarifying that the allegations against the company have no factual basis. Citing official documents from the Saudi Ministry of Commerce, he confirmed that the company is legally owned by a Saudi national, Fatimah Muhammad Atiyan Al-Kaabi, and managed by another Saudi citizen, Adel bin Suhaim bin Ali Al-Kaabi.
He further explained that the name Baharat Asia simply translates to “Spices of Asia” in Arabic, and assumptions about the company based on its name are purely speculative and unfounded.
Highlighting the company’s long-standing role, Butt noted that for the past 12 years, it has been successfully providing three meals a day to over 88,000 Pakistani pilgrims throughout their 40-day stay in Saudi Arabia, with menus tailored to Pakistani tastes.
He also stated that 99.4% of pilgrims have expressed satisfaction with the food’s quality, taste, and standards.
The spokesperson urged the public to avoid spreading rumors, emphasizing that the Pakistan Hajj Mission should be allowed to focus on assisting pilgrims rather than diverting resources to counter misinformation.
