Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, along with Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chauhan, addressed a press conference and stated that the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony introduced record-breaking reforms in the Hajj and Umrah sector last year. For the excellent arrangements during Hajj 2025, the Saudi government awarded Pakistan the *"Excellence Award"*, which is a major national honor.
The Federal Minister further informed that during Hajj 2025, a total of *3.5 billion rupees* were refunded for the convenience of pilgrims, resulting in savings ranging from *12,000 to 110,000 rupees* per pilgrim.
He added that registration for *179,000 pilgrims* for Hajj 2026 has been completed, while the expansion of the *"Pak Hajj App"* and *"Road to Makkah"* project up to Karachi has significantly reduced difficulties for pilgrims. New regulations have also been prepared for Umrah and ziyarat to protect pilgrims from exploitation by private operators and to fully digitize the system.
Highlighting the ministry's achievements in the fields of education and research, the Federal Minister said that for the first time in Pakistan's history, an *international Qira'at competition* was organized, in which reciters from *37 countries* participated. Additionally, the *50th World Seerat Conference* was successfully held, with international delegations participating under the OIC. The ministry has initiated the digitization of Seerat research papers from the past 50 years in line with modern requirements, and has introduced an artificial intelligence and plagiarism detection system to ensure transparency in academic competitions. The installation of a recycling plant for the dignified disposal of damaged Quranic pages, ensuring error-free printing of the Holy Quran, is in its final stages.
Regarding interfaith harmony and the protection of minority rights, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf stated that the Federal Cabinet has, for the first time, formally approved the *Interfaith Harmony Policy. Through the passage of the **National Commission for Minorities Act* in Parliament, the commission has been granted full legal and administrative autonomy. Scholarships and welfare funds have been ensured for deserving non-Muslim individuals and students, while festivals such as Holi, Diwali, and Christmas have been celebrated at the official level, projecting Pakistan's positive and tolerant image worldwide.
Discussing challenges related to social media and extremism, the Federal Minister said that the ministry's *Web Evaluation Cell* is working diligently and has sent over *74,000* blasphemous and objectionable links to the PTA for blocking. On the administrative front, the ministry has eliminated *60%* of vacant positions, significantly reducing government expenditures and easing the burden on the national exchequer.
He further stated that the emergency restoration of the *Kartarpur Corridor* after floods and the implementation of a uniform prayer (Salat) system in Islamabad are part of the ministry's priorities aimed at promoting discipline and religious tolerance in society.
In response to a question, Federal Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said that last year, *60,000 pilgrims* were unable to perform Hajj under the private Hajj scheme, prompting the Prime Minister to order inquiries. Consequently, the private Hajj quota has been reduced this year. Private Hajj operators have been directed to prioritize the inclusion of last year's affected pilgrims who have not yet received refunds. Women who are confident in performing Hajj and Umrah without a mahram or guardian can certainly do so, and separate groups for women are now being formed. It has been made mandatory to issue a certificate for women traveling alone. Full refunds will be ensured for pilgrims who fail on medical grounds or under the hardship quota. In response to another question, the Federal Minister clarified that no member of the Assembly or standing committee is being provided free Hajj or Umrah by the ministry; whoever goes will bear their own expenses.
