ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have reached a formal agreement for the Haj pilgrimage in 2026, officials confirmed on Sunday.
The deal was signed in Jeddah on Saturday by Saudi Deputy Minister for Haj and Umrah Dr Abdulfattah Bin Sulaiman Mashat and Pakistan’s Secretary for Religious Affairs Dr Syed Ata-ur-Rehman.
Pakistan receives one of the largest pilgrim quotas from Saudi Arabia each year, and Haj continues to be a central religious event for millions of Muslims worldwide. Dr Ata-ur-Rehman expressed appreciation for the Kingdom’s efforts to ensure smooth arrangements and high-quality facilities for pilgrims.
The Religious Affairs Ministry is preparing for both government-managed and private Haj schemes, aiming to meet all requirements set by Saudi authorities in a timely manner.
Earlier this year, the federal cabinet approved the Haj Policy 2026, which sets out the financial, procedural, and logistical framework for the pilgrimage. The government began accepting applications in August.
Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a total of 179,210 pilgrim slots for 2026, with 119,210 reserved under the government scheme and 60,000 for private operators.
