The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony convened on Tuesday to discuss the implications of the Saudi government's decision to significantly reduce the number of Pakistani Hajj Group Organizers (HGOs) from 905 to only 46. Although the religious affairs ministry eagerly awaited a response from the Saudi authorities, it was emphasized that it was unlikely for the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to reconsider its decision. The committee recommended that the ministry should prepare for the possibility of the Saudi decision remaining unchanged. After a thorough discussion, the committee suggested that the Caretaker Minister of Religious Affairs, Aneeq Ahmed, should engage with his Saudi counterpart to advocate Pakistan's position. Furthermore, the committee directed the Hajj director-general to address the concerns of Hajj pilgrims with the relevant Saudi authorities.
