KARACHI: In a swift policy reversal, Saudi Arabia has withdrawn its newly imposed age restriction for Hajj pilgrims. Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed on Saturday that the U-turn comes just hours after the kingdom had announced a ban on pilgrims under the age of 15, a directive that had sent shockwaves through thousands of Pakistani families who had registered younger children for this year’s Hajj.
The restriction, which had declared visas of under-15 pilgrims cancelled and directed airports to bar them from boarding Hajj flights, has now been fully lifted.
READ ASLO: Saudi Arabia withdraws 15-year age restriction for Hajj: PAA
“The ban on pilgrims under 15 years of age has been lifted. The previous policy has been restored, and pilgrims aged 12 and above are now eligible for Hajj,” the PAA said.
In a significant relief for affected families, the PAA further confirmed that visas which had been rejected or cancelled under the short-lived 15-year age restriction will be reprocessed, allowing eligible pilgrims to resume their travel plans.
The earlier directive, issued on the same day, had caused considerable confusion and distress. It had instructed airports nationwide to prevent underage pilgrims from boarding Hajj-designated flights effective May 3, 2026, and had assured full refunds to those impacted.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026