Pakistan Secures Global 'Labbaitum' & Private Sector Awards for Hajj 2026 Success; 2027 Policy to be Unveiled This Month

MAKKAH MUKARRAMAH, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st May, 2026) Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced Sunday that Pakistan has successfully concluded its Hajj 2026 operations, securing the international "Labbaitum Excellence Award" for the second consecutive year alongside three global awards for its private Hajj scheme.

Speaking at a post-Hajj press conference at the Pakistan Hajj Mission in Makkah, the minister revealed that the grievance rate plummeted to less than one percent this year due to exemplary arrangements. He was accompanied by Director General of the Pakistan Hajj Mission Abdul Wahab Soomro, Chief Coordinator Mirza Ali Mahsood, and Director Hajj Makkah Muhammad Arif Aslam Rao.

The minister stated that this success is the direct result of exemplary cooperation between the Government of Pakistan, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Pakistan Hajj Mission, and Saudi authorities. Following the special directives of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, top-tier facilities were provided to the pilgrims. With a quota of 180,000 pilgrims, Pakistan stands as the second-largest regulatory manager of Hajj in the world. The country’s performance was highly praised at an international forum led by the Saudi Minister of Hajj, where Pakistan's state and private sectors received significant honors for their outstanding performance.

Sardar Muhammad Yousaf highlighted that excellent arrangements in accommodation, transport, and catering kept complaints under one percent. Furthermore, expanding the "Road to Makkah" project to Lahore allowed 80 percent of Pakistani pilgrims to benefit from streamlined immigration processes. In Madinah, premium hotels ranging from five-star to one-star categories were secured within the central Markaziya district.

The minister also lauded the Hajj Medical Mission and the Saudi German Hospital for their exceptional coordination, which enabled 146 critically ill and elderly pilgrims to fulfill their core rituals, including the stay at Arafat and Tawaf-e-Ziyarah, via specialized medical transport.

Addressing operational challenges, the federal minister categorized fake news and digital misinformation as major hurdles.

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He noted that despite deliberate attempts on social media to distort the ground realities of Hajj 2026, mainstream media played a highly responsible role by presenting the truth to the public.

He emphasized that Hajj is a sacred collective responsibility and a mission of pure service, underscoring that there is absolutely no room for political point-scoring on this matter. He extended his profound gratitude to the Saudi leadership, including Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Minister of Hajj Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki for their seamless cooperation.

Looking forward, the minister announced that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj has already issued the timelines for the upcoming 1448 AH (2027) season, and preparations have officially commenced. To meet the strict deadlines for holy site bookings, the new Hajj Policy 2027 will be presented to the Federal Cabinet for approval within this ongoing month of June. The "first-come, first-served" policy will remain enforced, and registrations are expected to close within the next two months. Consequently, intending pilgrims are strongly urged to prepare or renew their passports immediately.

Responding to media queries, the minister added that future operations will see a massive focus on stringent medical fitness screenings to ensure only health-compliant pilgrims travel. Additionally, pilgrim training will be decentralized from standard Haji Camps down to the divisional level, and Group Leaders (Nazmeen) will be selected early to streamline pre-departure training.

While a pilot project to transport pilgrims from Madinah to Makkah via high-speed train could not materialize this year, the minister assured that it will be actively pursued for Hajj 2027, alongside maintaining close-proximity accommodations in Madinah and granting the private sector an increasingly active role. He concluded the briefing by requesting the nation to pray for the progress, stability, and prosperity of Pakistan.