Funds for 67,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims sent to wrong account

Express Tribune

26-04-2025

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More than 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims could face delays in their Hajj journey after millions of Saudi Riyals meant for their expenses were mistakenly sent to the wrong bank account.
According to the Hajj Organizers Association of Pakistan (HOAP), approximately 50 million Saudi Riyals were accidentally transferred to an OPEC Fund account instead of the official account of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The error has delayed the payment process by more than a month.
As a result, private Hajj operators missed the payment deadlines set by Saudi authorities, unaware that the funds were misdirected. Their bookings and pilgrimage plans have been severely disrupted.
The situation has caused widespread concern among families of the pilgrims, many of whom now fear their loved ones may not be able to perform Hajj this year.
In response, Pakistani authorities have formed a special subcommittee to investigate the error, trace the funds, and prevent similar incidents in the future. The committee will also coordinate with Saudi officials to resolve the issue swiftly.
"This payment error has highlighted the urgent need for better coordination and communication between banks, private Hajj operators, and official agencies," HOAP representatives said.
With limited time left before Hajj, efforts are underway to rectify the mistake and secure the travel arrangements for thousands of hopeful pilgrims.