ISLAMABAD – In a rare acknowledgment of a serious administrative lapse, Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousuf revealed that Pakistan has no official record of nearly 40,000 Zaireen who traveled to Iraq, Iran, and Syria in recent years but never returned.
Addressing reporters, the minister said the lack of a proper registration and monitoring mechanism meant pilgrims often visited holy sites either individually or through informal groups, leaving no official trail. “Had there been a proper system, we would know the exact movement of every pilgrim,” he stated.
This unregulated movement has not only caused insecurity for the Zaireen themselves but also led to repeated concerns from the governments of Iraq, Iran, and Syria, who have urged Pakistan to establish a formal structure.
Responding to these challenges, the government has now introduced a centralized model for managing pilgrimages. Under the new framework, only registered Zaireen Group Organisers (ZGOs) will be allowed to arrange visits, and the outdated informal system will be phased out. More than 1,400 companies have already applied to register as recognized organizers, following cabinet approval of the policy.
The minister added that alongside these reforms, Pakistan has formally requested Saudi Arabia to increase the country’s Hajj quota from 179,000 to 230,000, reflecting its growing population.