The Government of Pakistan formally requested Saudi Arabia to increase its Hajj quota to 230,000 pilgrims for the upcoming season. Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced the request during a media briefing in Islamabad, arguing that the current allocation should be adjusted to reflect Pakistan’s population of over 240 million. Saudi Arabia has currently allocated a quota of 179,210 for 2026, with roughly 118,000 seats reserved for the government scheme and the remainder for private tour operators.
Pakistan requests Saudi Arabia to increase Hajj 2026 quota to 230,000https://t.co/cI5Tki8Qpb#SaudiArabia #Hajj2026 pic.twitter.com/YaQSaE0pGA
— The_Nation (@The_Nation) January 15, 2026
The Minister highlighted strong public interest, noting that over 450,000 applications were received this year, which he credited to increased confidence in the government’s arrangements. To ensure a smooth experience, the Ministry has made Hajj training mandatory for all pilgrims. The first phase of these training sessions, which cover both spiritual rituals and administrative guidelines, is scheduled to continue across the country until February.
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Efforts are also underway to expand the “Road to Makkah” project, a pre-clearance facility that allows pilgrims to complete Saudi immigration in Pakistan. While currently available in Islamabad and Karachi, the government is working to launch the service in Lahore this year. Minister Yousaf, who plans to personally oversee operations in Saudi Arabia to address complaints, urged staff to serve pilgrims with the highest efficiency. The Ministry has also introduced 22 new guiding principles to simplify the pilgrimage process for the hundreds of thousands of citizens expected to travel.
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