Pilgrimage Made Affordable: Saudi Arabia’s $40M Fund Offers Major Savings for Hajj, Umrah Travelers
In a transformative move aimed at easing travel costs for Muslim pilgrims, Saudi Arabia has launched a $40 million fund to support individuals embarking on Hajj and Umrah. The relief initiative—primarily backed by Saudi travel and hospitality sectors—is expected to help pilgrims save up to Rs. 50,000 on travel-related expenses.
Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, confirmed the development and lauded Saudi Arabia for its generous gesture. With Rs. 15 billion set aside through this fund, tens of thousands of pilgrims from Pakistan and other nations will experience reduced financial pressure as they plan for their journeys.
On a separate but pressing issue, the minister also discussed the situation involving the unaccounted 63,000 pilgrims during this year’s Hajj. He stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially rejected the earlier probe and directed the formation of a new committee to conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation.
To promote religious inclusivity and scheduling coherence, the ministry will soon publish a prayer calendar for Islamabad. Plans are also underway to extend organized group pilgrimages to other sacred destinations including Iraq, Iran, and Syria—providing structure similar to Hajj arrangements.
In talks with a delegation from the Shia Ulema Council, Minister Yousuf stressed the need for sectarian collaboration and emphasized the government’s responsibility to foster a peaceful religious atmosphere for all communities.
