Underutilized Hajj Quota; Govt May Surrender Remaining Quota to Riyadh

Image: Al Jazeera

A local media outlet on Wednesday reported that for the first time in the history of Pakistan, the government received less Hajj applications against the quota allocated by the Saudi Government.

The Express Tribune also reported that the government is thinking to surrendering the used quota to the Saudi Government. However, the federal government will make the final decision.

According to informed sources at religious affairs ministry, this year, 9,000 fewer Hajj applications were received for the government Hajj scheme. The major reason for the shortfall is said to be the Increased Hajj prices.

More than 72,869 people have applied for Hajj under the regular scheme while 28,679 additional applications were received for the additional quota of 44,190.