Pakistan pilgrims recover over Rs 5.5m as Hajj mission cracks down on Errant Private Operators; 35 notices issued

Makkah, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd May, 2026) In a major crackdown against private tour operators violating service agreements, the Private Hajj Monitoring Cell of the Pakistan Hajj Mission has recovered 74,455 Saudi Riyals (over Rs 5.5 million) overcharged under the guise of sacrificial animal (Qurbani) fees and other services, returning the amount on the spot to the aggrieved pilgrims.

Concurrently, 35 formal show-cause notices have been issued to errant Hajj Group Organizers (HGOs) for various regulatory violations 33 in Makkah and 2 in Madinah while a heavy financial penalty has been slapped on one operator.

Highlighting the monitoring cell's operations, Zarghan Shahzad, Deputy Coordinator of the Private Hajj Monitoring Cell, stated that providing immediate, on-the-ground relief to pilgrims is the government's foremost priority. "Under the private scheme, a total of 51,401 pilgrims have arrived in the Holy Land through 1,295 groups. Out of these, our field teams have stringently monitored 818 companies and conducted 5,298 direct interviews with pilgrims to meticulously assess the quality of accommodation, transport, and catering facilities," Shahzad said.

He reiterated that the mission operates a zero-tolerance policy for service delivery lapses. "Complaints are responded to instantaneously. Errant operators face severe punitive actions, including heavy fines and permanent blacklisting," he added.

Providing a city-wise breakdown of the recoveries, Shahzad noted that 65,665 SAR was reimbursed to pilgrims in Madinah, while 8,790 SAR was recovered and returned on the spot in Makkah.

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Elaborating on field operations, Monitoring Officer Nadeem Shahzad reported that his team intervened directly in cases of overcharging, successfully securing a refund of 260 SAR per pilgrim for a group of 33 affected Pakistanis.

Meanwhile, Monitoring Officer Zahid Khan confirmed that operators failing to provide agreed-upon facilities are being legally bound through written agreements to execute immediate cash refunds to the pilgrims.

Expressing her gratitude, Ammara, an affected pilgrim traveling under the private scheme, lauded the Ministry of Religious Affairs for its rigorous accountability mechanism."The government’s proactive vigilance detected overcharging that we weren't even aware of initially. This honorable step shows that the Government of Pakistan genuinely cares for the dignity and well-being of all pilgrims, regardless of whether they arrive via the government package or private operators," she stated.

According to latest data from the Private Hajj Monitoring Cell, out of 7 formal complaints received so far this season, **5 have been resolved on the spot**, while the remaining 2 are being processed rapidly in Makkah.

Pilgrims have expressed high satisfaction with the guidance and rapid grievance redressal provided by the Pakistan Hajj Mission. The Ministry of Religious Affairs continues to work round-the-clock under its core motto, "Service to Pilgrims is Our Worship," ensuring equal care for both public and private scheme pilgrims.