Islamabad, February 4, 2026: The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony held a detailed meeting today at Old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges, Islamabad, under the chairmanship of Senator Atta Ur Rehman. The session was attended by Senators Danesh Kumar, Hafiz Abdul Karim, Husna Bano, Bushra Anjum Butt, Samina Mumtaz Zehri, Sarmad Ali, and Atta-ul-Haq Derwaish, along with the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.
The Committee reviewed the quota allocation, tender awarding, and procurement processes under the Government Hajj Scheme for 2026. The Ministry of Religious Affairs presented all relevant records and briefed members on the end-to-end procurement framework, stressing transparency, fairness, and accountability in serving the sacred journey of Hajj.
It was highlighted that a seven-member Hiring and Procurement Committee, comprising senior officers from the Ministry, OPAP, and the Consulate General of Pakistan, oversaw the procurement process in line with PPRA rules. Technical and financial evaluations were conducted, and awards were recommended unanimously to the most advantageous bidders.
Regarding Tawaffa services, 80 percent of the quota was allocated to Al Rajhi and 20 percent to Rawaf Minia at a rate of SR 2,635 per pilgrim, based on merit, technical capacity, and financial competitiveness. The Ministry assured that grievance redressal mechanisms were in place and objections from companies were duly examined.
Senator Danesh Kumar raised concerns over the shortlisting of service providers. The Ministry explained that while 34 companies were approved by Saudi authorities, only six met Pakistan’s requirements, with Al Rajhi emerging as the top-ranked company. Al Rajhi is authorized to accommodate up to 80,000 pilgrims and is empaneled with Saudi authorities.
The Committee also received briefings on the selection of Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj and Nazims for Hajj 2026. A Document Scrutiny Committee is reviewing applications against strict criteria, and 635 welfare staff will be deployed as Nazims to guide pilgrims, manage operational areas, and facilitate services during the pre-Hajj, Mashair, and post-Hajj phases. A two-week intensive training program is scheduled for March 2026, focusing on operational duties, healthcare support, and pilgrim facilitation.
The Committee was informed about the private Hajj sector, which now comprises 904 registered HGO offices nationwide. Despite disruptions in 2025, affected pilgrims were accommodated or refunded in full, reflecting professionalism and integrity. Contracting progress was shared, including housing arrangements in Madinah Munawwarah for the total quota of 60,000 pilgrims.
Under Saudi Vision 2030 reforms, country-specific arrangements, including theme colors for Pakistan reflecting provincial representation, have been introduced to enhance discipline and organization.
The Committee also discussed legislative business, deferring deliberations on Private Member Bills introduced by Senators Syed Ali Zafar, Samina Mumtaz Zehri, and Sarmad Ali, pending further review.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous resolve to safeguard the sanctity of Hajj, uphold transparency, and ensure that every step reflects khidmat, amanah, and respect for the sacred trust of serving the guests of Allah.
