Minister tells Senate body: Independent body to examine Hajj-related matters

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony confirmed that over 21,000 Hajj quota slots for the 2026 Hajj season fell short and the quota would be adjusted next year.

Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and the secretary of the ministry admitted this fact in a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony held on Thursday, with Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim in the chair. Senator Atta-ur-Rehman, the chairman of the Senate body, was not present.

Senator Husna Bano pointed out that 21,860 Hajj quota slots had fallen short this year and raised a number of concerns conveyed by pilgrims who performed Hajj in 2026.

The minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony and the secretary of the ministry assured the committee that the concerns would be addressed. The committee was informed that approximately 21,000 quota slots would be adjusted.

The panel was further briefed that an independent committee comprising experts had been constituted to examine Hajj-related matters, and approval from the prime minister was awaited. Members noted that no member of parliament has been included in the proposed committee.

The secretary clarified that neither members of parliament nor serving government officers had been included in the newly constituted expert committee.

The committee was informed that the expert body would examine matters relating to Hajj facilitation, services provided to pilgrims and effective utilisation of the 100 percent Hajj quota, among other related issues.

The committee deferred consideration of the report on the Private Member’s Bill titled “The Muslim Family Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024”, introduced by Senator Syed Ali Zafar in the Senate on September 2, 2024. However, since he was out of the country, he asked the committee to take up this matter in the next meeting.

The committee also held further discussions on the Private Member’s Bill titled “The Muslim Family Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024”, introduced by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri in the Senate on June 10, 2024. The committee also discussed the Private Member’s Bill titled “The Muslim Family Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026”, introduced by Senator Sarmad Ali in the Senate on January 19, 2026.

Senator Waqar Mehdi suggested that the issue of children born outside wedlock should also be examined from the perspective of legal identity and registration. The committee recommended inviting the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to its next meeting for a detailed briefing.

The committee decided to reconsider the relevant provisions after examining the CII’s recommendations.

Senator Sarmad Ali’s proposal for reviewing the Nikahnama form was also discussed. The proposal seeks to make the form more user-friendly and remove ambiguities that may arise from unclear or vague wording in the headings of its columns.

The committee was informed that the Ministry had held a follow-up meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Interior and the ICT Administration on Jan 20, 2026, to expedite implementation of the updated Nikahnama forms.

It was decided that the relevant department would implement, print, and circulate the revised forms in Islamabad Capital Territory and submit a compliance report. The committee was informed that the response from the relevant quarters was still awaited.

The committee also continued discussion on Starred Question No. 1, raised by Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, concerning the alleged transfer of federally owned Evacuee Trust Property Board land in Punjab to unauthorised persons under the Punjab Conferment of Proprietary Rights on Occupancy Tenants and Muqarraridars Act, 2012.

The question also sought details regarding the ETPB chairman’s decision of April 2021 declaring such transfers invalid, subsequent confirmation of the decision by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, restoration of the federal government’s ownership in revenue records, and action against officials responsible for the alleged misuse of the provincial law.

The committee was informed that 1,907 kanals of ETPB land in MouzaNeeka and 1,275 kanals and 12 marlas in Mouza Ameer Khan, Tehsil Fateh Jang, District Attock, had allegedly been transferred to occupants under the 2012 provincial law.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026