Latest news with #SardarYousaf
Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Minorities' contribution to defence hailed
Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf talking to media at the balloting of Hajj application. PHOTO: INP Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf expressed gratitude to the Sikhs and other minorities for their defence support. He visited the historic Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal, where he met with members of the Sikh community. Speaking on the occasion, the minister termed the recent success of the Pakistan army as a "battle for truth" and an achievement. Highl1ighting the importance of upcoming Sikh festivals in the month of June, the minister said that Pakistan was ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims from around the world.
Arab News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan says 25,698 pilgrims to perform Hajj under private quota in 2025
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's religious affairs minister, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, said on Friday only 25,698 pilgrims would be able to perform Hajj this year under the private scheme, after thousands of allocated slots were revoked due to non-compliance by private operators with Saudi booking rules and deadlines. The kingdom had granted Pakistan a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2025. Typically, this national quota is evenly split between the government-run and private schemes. However, the private sector failed to meet procedural requirements set by Saudi authorities, leading to a significant cut in their share, down from 89,801 to just over 25,000, leaving more than 67,000 would-be pilgrims affected. '25,698 people will be able to go for Hajj under the private quota,' Yousaf said while addressing a press conference. 'Up until February 14, only 3,600 pilgrims had submitted their payments, but after a one-week extension, 10,000 more applications were received, bringing the total number to 13,000.' He highlighted that private Hajj operators had registered 904 companies with the Saudi authorities, based on a list provided by the religious affairs ministry. However, some people ignored this and made payments to unregistered Hajj operators. Yousaf assured that a committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would investigate the issue. He said Pakistan International Airlines, Saudi Airlines, Air Sial, Airblue, and Serene Air would be transporting Pakistani pilgrims for Hajj. Earlier in May, a ministry spokesperson issued guidelines for Hajj pilgrims, including verifying the authenticity and quota approval of private tour operators before making payments, visiting the ministry's official website to confirm registration and avoiding reliance on unverified advertisements or information. The ministry strongly urged all prospective pilgrims to exercise utmost caution when booking Hajj packages through private tour operators. Some registered private organizations also failed to pay dues within the timeline set by Saudi authorities, prompting Sharif to intervene and request an extension of the deadline, which was approved. This year's annual pilgrimage is expected between June 4 and June 9, with nearly 89,000 Pakistanis traveling to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme. Pakistan launched its Hajj flight operation on April 29. Around 55,642 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims have landed in Saudi Arabia so far via 244 flights.
Business Recorder
29-04-2025
- Business Recorder
First Hajj flight with 442 pilgrims departs from Islamabad
The first flight carrying Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia commenced on Tuesday with PIA flight PK-713 departing from Islamabad International Airport for Madinah. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Al-Malki, and PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat bid farewell to the 442 pilgrims. Moreover, the first Hajj flight from Quetta, PK-7201, also departed at 10:AM carrying 170 pilgrims. Likewise, the first Hajj flight from Lahore, PK-747, will depart for Madinah at 10:PM carrying 323 passengers. PIA will operate direct Hajj flights from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, and Quetta and will transport approximately 35,200 government-sponsored pilgrims to the Holy Land through more than 117 special flights. PIA's pre-Hajj operation will continue until May 31, while the post-Hajj operation will begin on June 10 and conclude on July 10. Meanwhile, Saudi officials responsible for facilitating Hajj travel arrangements arrived at Jinnah International Airport on Monday. The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said the delegation will operate eight counters at Jinnah International Airport to process Hajj pilgrims. Under the government Hajj scheme, 89,000 pilgrims will be transported to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah through 342 flights. During the first 15 days of the operation, pilgrims will be flown directly to Madinah. The hajj flight operation will continue for 33 days. The last Hajj flight from Pakistan will depart on May 31.
Express Tribune
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistani pilgrims to receive VIP treatment during Hajj: Minister
Listen to article Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has promised improved services for Pakistani pilgrims during Hajj 2025, stating they will be treated "like VIPs." The announcement comes amid longstanding complaints from pilgrims about poor arrangements and lack of support during the annual pilgrimage. Speaking at the annual Hajj Conference in Islamabad, Sardar Yousaf said, 'This time, our pilgrims will perform Hajj like VIPs because Saudi authorities are ensuring equal facilities, and the Government of Pakistan will also not leave any gaps.' The minister emphasised that the Ministry of Religious Affairs is not a commercial entity. 'Our mission is the ideology of Pakistan and Islam,' he said, adding that when he previously took office in 2013, only 5,000 Hajj applications were received. By 2016, that number had grown to 500,000 due to improved packages and better arrangements. He acknowledged past shortcomings and assured the audience that this time, coordination with Saudi authorities is stronger. 'Whatever money was sent through the official Hajj portal will not go to waste. We are working to resolve any remaining issues,' he said. Sardar Yousaf also noted that he has held the portfolio for only a month but has taken swift action. 'Prime Minister has entrusted me with the responsibility of ensuring a smooth Hajj. I visited Saudi Arabia myself and reviewed the arrangements. A large number of Pakistani pilgrims are already there.' He mentioned efforts by himself, scholar Allama Tahir Ashrafi, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in securing additional Hajj quota. 'With the efforts of the Saudi Hajj Minister, Pakistan has received an additional quota for 10,000 pilgrims,' he said, clarifying that this was not an entirely new or separate quota, but rather part of the private Hajj allocations. Sardar Yousaf concluded by reiterating his commitment: 'We will follow all instructions based on the report submitted by the committee formed by the Prime Minister.'
