Latest news with #MinistryofReligiousAffairs
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Heads must roll
Listen to article It is a pity and quite unfortunate that 63,907 intending Pakistani pilgrims will not be able to perform Hajj this year. The onus for this negligence now officially rests on 903 companies and their umbrella organisation, HOPE. They all must undergo retribution, have their licences revoked, and be heavily penalised for their sheer incompetence and unprofessionalism. No excuses must be entertained at any level, and none should go off the hook. The committee that has been formed by the federal government to investigate the mess must see to it that justice is done, and these operators and their associates are black-listed for all times to come. Likewise, armchair experts in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and especially those who worked hand in glove with private operators for this year must also be shown the door. The trajectory of carelessness is tantamount to a crime. The private sector quota wielders initially failed to understand the new policy regulations of the Saudi government and could not complete the Tawafa formalities within the deadline. But even after missing the deadline to what they called technical lacunae, they went on to hold the money deposited by the pilgrims. They then missed a new deadline to deposit 25 per cent of the amount required for the process to proceed. Last but not least, it seems the private operators were deliberately involved in a mug-up to shore up the big finances for their personal designs at the altar of poor pilgrims who stand duped today. This is no small upset for pilgrims as it is tantamount to playing with their sentiments, and their lifetime wish to take the holy journey. These stranded pilgrims include many expatriates who had travelled to Pakistan, and are now in a state of limbo. The Hajj modus operandi in Pakistan has long been mired in slur and suspicion, and there are instances when pilgrims were taken for a ride, cheated and denied their promised privileges. But this year, it has gone over the brink — something that must see heads rolled from top to bottom. The trust of the people has been shattered and is in need of being restored.
India.com
17-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Pakistan begs before Saudi Arabia, pleads for mercy for...
(File) Hajj 2025: In yet another major diplomatic setback on the global, amid rising tensions with India, Pakistan is now pleading Saudi Arabia to restore its private Hajj quota for the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage. According to reports, Islamabad has sent an official appeal to Riyadh in both Arabic and English languages, pleading the desert Kingdom to restore its Hajj quota. The letter, sent by the Pakistani Ministry of Religious Affairs, pleaded its case by stating more than 67,000 people, most of whom are elderly, will not get a chance to perform again, if Saudi Arabia does not restore the Hajj quota granted to Islamabad. In its letter, the Pakistani ministry stated that due to technical difficulties and inability to pay fees to certain service providers, these 67,000 aspiring pilgrims failed to register for Hajj 2025 before the due date, and may lose the chance to perform the pilgrimage during their lifetimes as most of them are elderly people. 'The mistake that has happened will not happen again. In the coming years, we will follow the rules and regulations strictly. But this time, kindly have mercy on these people,' the ministry reportedly wrote in its letter to the Saudi Arabian government. Asserting that most of the affected people are elderly, the letter claimed that many of them are at an age where they many not get another chance to perform Hajj next year. 'It is difficult to express their disappointment and pain in words,' the Pakistani ministry wrote, while noting that the Hajj fees of these 67,000 pilgrims has already been deposited. Additionally, the Pakistani ministry made an emotional plea to the Saudis in the name of humanity and 'Islamic brotherhood', saying that even if there is a tiny space left in Mina (a massive temporary encampment outside Mecca where pilgrims stay during Hajj), its should be given to Pakistan. Islamabad also promised to ensure that such an issue will not arise in the future, stating that private Hajj operators have been directed to take all necessary steps on time. Pakistan's first Hajj flight departed from Islamabad on April 29 with 393 Hajj pilgrims onboard.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Ulema declare Friday 'Day of Gratitude'
The Ministry of Religious Affairs on Thursday held a conference of the National Ulema and Mashaikh Council and brought together prominent religious scholars from across the country. The conference featured extensive discussions on the proposed National Ulema and Mashaikh Council Bill. In a notable development, the participants approved the English translation of the Holy Quran, and the official launch of a dedicated Quran mobile application also took place during the event. The conference concluded with a unanimous decision to observe today as Youm-e-Tashakur (Day of Gratitude) and Youm-e-Pakistan.
Express Tribune
11-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Hajj operations resumed after a hiatus
Listen to article The PIA on Saturday night resumed its Hajj operation, which was greatly affected due intermittent closures of airspace since May 7 after the start of a brief war between Pakistan and India. After announcement of a ceasefire on Saturday evening, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) issued a notice to airmen (Notam) announcing that the country's airspace had been fully restored for all types of flights According to the PAA spokesperson, all airports across the country were available for normal flight operations. "Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight schedules," he added. Later, the PIA spokesperson also confirmed the restoration of flight operations. He said PIA flight PK-750 from Paris to Islamabad, which had earlier landed in Quetta, was scheduled to depart for Islamabad at 9 pm on Saturday. Other PIA operations were also resumed from 10pm. "Passengers who had returned home or were accommodated in hotels are being contacted and called back to the airport. Aircraft and equipment that were moved to safe locations as a precaution are also being returned to the operational area," the statement said. The PIA spokesperson apologized for the inconvenience caused to passengers due to the airspace closure and flight disruptions, stating that the precaution was necessary in light of the situation. After the reopening of airspace, Hajj flights were also resumed on Saturday night. A total of 10 Hajj flights were suspended due to Pakistan-India tensions, including three flights on Saturday. As a result, 2,290 pilgrims were unable to depart for the holy land. Of these, 7 flights belonged to Saudi Airlines and 3 to PIA. Hajj operations from Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Peshawar, and Karachi have now resumed. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has already sent 1,277 of the affected pilgrims via special PIA flights. The remaining 1,013 pilgrims will be sent in the coming days, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs said in a statement. He said all Hajj flights will now proceed to Saudi Arabia as per schedule. So far, 19,669 Pakistani pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia. The spokesperson urged pilgrims to stay in contact with their respective Haji Camps for information on Hajj flight schedules. As of Friday, approximately 450 flights to and from Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, and other major airports had been affected. These included flights for Hajj pilgrims as well as those to and from Dubai, Doha, Sharjah, Kuala Lumpur, Madina, Riyadh, Turkey, Canada, Europe, Abu Dhabi, and other destinations. The sudden and repeated closure and reopening of airspace over Lahore, Sialkot, Islamabad, Multan, and Karachi by the PAA created serious challenges for thousands of passengers, with both domestic and international airlines forced to reschedule dozens of flights. Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport, which handles over 50 flights daily, saw 80% of its operations affected. The repeated airspace closures had been particularly troublesome for Hajj pilgrims, who had to wait for hours in ihram at the airport.
Express Tribune
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan resumes Hajj flights after Pakistan-India ceasefire
Listen to article Ministry of Religious Affairs has resumed the Hajj operation following the announcement of a ceasefire between Pakistan and India, and the reopening of Pakistan's airspace, Express News reported. Last night, following Indian missile attacks on three Pakistan Air Force bases by India, which were intercepted by the country's air defence systems, Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) had imposed an air emergency across the country and suspended all flight operations. However, following major de-escalation with India, Pakistan has reopened its airspace to all civilian and commercial flights. The ceasefire restores normal flight operations at airports nationwide, signalling a return to stability after a period of disruption. Read More: Pakistan destroys India's BrahMos stockpile, airbases in 'Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos' According to ministry sources, a Hajj flight is scheduled to depart later tonight, marking the formal resumption of operations that were temporarily suspended due to heightened tensions between Pakistan and India. Earlier in the day, three Hajj flights were cancelled amid the security situation, bringing the total number of suspended flights to ten since the escalation began. The disruption affected 2,290 pilgrims who were unable to travel to Saudi Arabia on schedule. The suspended flights included seven operated by Saudi Airlines and three by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the ministry said. Pakistan's opened its airspace as full and immediate ceasefire between India and Pakistan has been reached after days of heightened military exchanges between the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours. The announcement was first made by US President Donald Trump on Saturday and later confirmed by PM Shehbaz Sharif, DPM Ishaq Dar, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Read More: Pakistan and India agree to immediate ceasefire In a statement, the Ministry of Religious Affairs confirmed that 1,100 of the affected pilgrims have already been sent to Saudi Arabia on special PIA flights, while arrangements are in place to transport the remaining 1,190 in the coming days. 'The airspace of Pakistan has been fully restored for all types of flights. Hajj operations will now continue as per the original schedule,' the ministry said. The cancelled flights included three from Lahore, two from Islamabad, and one each from Karachi and Multan. A total of 1,277 pilgrims have been flown out via special flights, and the remaining 1,013 will be sent shortly, officials added. So far, 19,669 Pakistani pilgrims have successfully arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. The ministry advised all pilgrims to stay in contact with their respective Hajj camps for flight updates and further assistance.
