JEDDAH (Kashmir English): Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a formal agreement on arrangements and facilities for Hajj 2026.
Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdul Fattah bin Sulaiman Al-Mashat and Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs Dr. Syed Atta-ur-Rehman signed the Hajj agreement in Jeddah.
The signing ceremony was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan His Excellency Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki, DG Hajj Jeddah Abdul Wahab Soomro, Director Hajj Makkah Azizullah Khan, Director Hajj Madinah Zia-ur-Rehman, Deputy Secretary Hajj Policy Chaudhry Kashif Hussain, and officials of HOAP, a representative organization of private Hajj companies.
Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs Dr. Syed Atta-ur-Rehman thanked the Saudi government for its excellent efforts in providing hospitality and facilities to the pilgrims.
He said that, like last year, high-quality facilities will be provided to Pakistani pilgrims this year too.
He added that the Ministry of Religious Affairs is committed to completing the arrangements for public and private Hajj schemes in a timely and effective manner, in accordance with the instructions of the Saudi government.
Hajj 2026: Nusuk Masar platform
Earlier, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia introduced a new temporary licensing system for pilgrim accommodations in Makkah and Madinah during the Hajj 2026 season, aiming to ease housing shortages and improve service quality for millions of worshippers across the globe.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom has announced that the initiative will allow property owners to obtain seasonal licences for hosting pilgrims.
Developed in partnership with the ministries of tourism and municipalities, and housing, the plan has been designed to expand capacity during the pilgrimage without compromising safety or standards.
Under the new rules, applicants will have to register through the Nusuk Masar platform, with approvals processed via the Ministry of Tourism’s online portal.
The contracting period will close on 13 Sha’ban 1447 AH (February 1, 2026). Hotels that already hold year-round tourism licences will not be affected by the new rule.
According to the officials, linking licensed facilities to the Nusuk booking system will streamline reservations, prevent overcrowding, and create a safer, more organised experience for pilgrims.
