Will the 67,000 Pakistanis denied Hajj get their money back?

ISLAMABAD: The fate of over Rs36 billion paid by 67,000 Pakistanis for Hajj through private tour operators remains uncertain, as authorities have yet to offer a clear response.

These pilgrims are at risk of missing Hajj this year after private organisers failed to secure their visas. The issue arose due to a delay in uploading required details to Saudi Arabia’s official Hajj portal, missing the February 14 deadline.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf, when asked about the matter during a talk show, did not give a definite answer. He stated that pilgrims from other countries, including India and Bangladesh, are also facing similar issues, adding, “We are trying our best. Losing hope is a sin.”

The minister clarified that only those payments submitted officially by tour operators are eligible for refunds. Any undocumented or unofficial payments, he said, would have to be compensated by the operators themselves.

Private Hajj organisers claim that around 480 million Saudi Riyals, roughly Rs36 billion, have already been transferred to Saudi Arabia. The amount was reportedly used to book hotels, arrange meals, and secure logistical services in Makkah and Madinah.

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But because of the missed portal deadline, only 23,000 out of nearly 90,000 private applicants managed to get their visas issued.

This means nearly 67,000 pilgrims, who had paid well in advance, are left in limbo—uncertain about whether they will perform Hajj or see their money returned.

Many organisers admit they’ve already spent the funds, and much of it is non-refundable. Some even say they won’t be able to pay pilgrims back, even if they sell personal assets. “Our money is stuck too. Without visas, we don’t have any way to return the funds,” one operator said.

Meanwhile, appeals have been made to the Prime Minister for urgent intervention in the quota issue. Pakistan’s total Hajj quota for the year stands at 179,210.