Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has urged intending pilgrims, under Private Scheme, to exercise utmost caution while booking Hajj packages through private tour operators (Munazzameen).

Radio Pakistan correspondent Abdul Rehman Cheema reports from Makkah that the Ministry has warned that some private organizers failed to pay the Mashair (Tawafa & Qadana) dues within the stipulated timeframe set by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

As a result, the quota allocated under the Private Hajj Scheme has been revised and is now limited to approximately 25,698 pilgrims while no additional quota to be granted this year.

The Ministry further emphasized that the pilgrims must verify the status and latest quota approval of their chosen private operator before making any payments.

It said that the intending pilgrims should visit the official Ministry website pvt-inquiry.hajjinfo.org for further information.

The Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to ensure a transparent, responsible, and coordinated Hajj operation.

It also appealed to the public for their cooperation to help implement all arrangements in accordance with the Hajj Policy and the regulations set by Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, all Hajj Cluster Companies have been strictly instructed not to book pilgrims beyond their officially sanctioned quotas.