ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan has formally requested Saudi Arabia for increase in its Hajj quota, citing its growing population.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf on Friday confirmed that a letter has been written to Saudi authorities on the subject and their response is awaiting.
Pakistan’s current Hajj quota
At present, Pakistan’s Hajj quota stands at 230,000 pilgrims. According to the government, this number is not in line with the country’s population, which, it said, has now crossed 230 million.
According to the officials, the government has asked Saudi Arabia to review the quota and adjust it proportionally to the country’s population.
The Minister said that letter to Saudi authorities has been sent and Pakistan is waiting for official reply. “We have requested to increase the Hajj quota, but no response has been received yet,” he added.
Sardar Yousaf explained that the Kingdom allocates and distributes Hajj quotas globally, reviewing them in proportion to each country’s population.
He clarified that Saudi Arabia has not increased the Hajj quota for any country so far, adding Pakistan will wait for the kingdom’s policy decision on this matter.
