MAKKAH MUKARRAMAH, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 4th May, 2026) Director General Hajj and Head of the Pakistan Hajj Mission Jeddah, Abdul Wahab Soomro, has stated that Pakistan has successfully maintained Hajj expenses without an increase for the past four years, despite rising global inflation, increased operational costs in Saudi Arabia, and Currency fluctuations.
He emphasized that administrative reforms, digital governance, and meticulous planning have led to a 100% improvement in service quality.
In an exclusive interview with APP, the DG Soomro revealed that 278 buildings were acquired to accommodate 118,925 Pakistani pilgrims in Al-Aziziyah, Bathah Quraish, An-Naseem, Rai Bakhshi, Jarwal, and Nuzha.
The approval, inspection, and digital documentation of these properties were conducted entirely through the ‘Masar’ portal.
He noted that major countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Iraq, have also housed their pilgrims in the Al-Aziziyah district.
Soomro further informed that a 24-hour free-of-cost shuttle service is being provided to pilgrims residing in Al-Aziziyah for easy access to the Haram.
In response to a query, he mentioned that all Pakistani pilgrims in Madinah Munawwarah have been accommodated in hotels within the Markaziya area, facilitating their prayers at Masjid-e-Nabwi.
The DG Hajj highlighted that improved financial management and negotiation skills have elevated financial transparency to new heights. Consequently, a total of Rs 27 billion has been refunded to pilgrims over the last three years: Rs 17 billion in 2023, Rs 7 billion in 2024, and Rs 3 billion in 2025, marking the largest refund in Pakistan’s history.
He added that all payments and contracts are executed online via the Masar portal, eliminating corruption, misrepresentation, and human error.
Replying to a question, he explained that data-driven technology and compliance with Masar regulations have modernized the Hajj administrative structure.
Among the reforms, the ‘Short Hajj’ has gained significant popularity; the number of pilgrims opting for it rose from 17,000 in 2023 to 41,825 in 2026, accounting for 35.17% of total pilgrims.
Other notable reforms include ‘Family Roaming.’ Earlier male and female pilgrims were housed separately, but upon the DG Hajj’s proposal, family rooms with two or three beds are now available for an additional fee. This year, 13.82% of pilgrims opted for family sharing.
Furthermore, the ‘Green Baggage’ initiative has revolutionized luggage identification at airports, leading to a sharp decline in cases of lost baggage.
DG Hajj also shared that arrangements at the Holy Sites (Mashair), which previously consisted of tents and air coolers, have now been upgraded to full air-conditioning. mobile SIM cards are provided to pilgrims immediately upon arrival in Makkah or Madinah to ensure they stay connected with their families. Additionally, a WhatsApp-based command system has been implemented for 29 hospitality centers, making building inspections mandatory 72 hours in advance, he added.
Providing a snapshot of Hajj 2026, Soomro stated that 118,925 Pakistanis will perform Hajj under the Government Scheme, comprising 56.47% men and 43.53% women. Regarding transportation, 55% of pilgrims will utilize the train service, while 45% will use buses. The highest number of departures are from Islamabad (30.23%), Lahore (25.17%), and Karachi (25.06%), with 95.50% of pilgrims being under the age of 70.
It is worth noting that Abdul Wahab Soomro was honored with the ‘Excellence Award’ by the Saudi government last year, securing the first position among eight global heads of missions. He reaffirmed that the Primary goal remains to make the pilgrimage easier and more memorable for pilgrims every year.
