All organizers of Hajj and Umrah will now be required to obtain licenses to operate and must sign a service provider agreement with Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The Ministry has introduced this new act to safeguard pilgrims from fraud and to enhance the regulation of tour organizers across the country.

According to the act, if an organizer is found guilty of defrauding a pilgrim, the case will be addressed by a Complaint Disposal Committee made up of senior officers of grade 20, which will conduct investigations and impose penalties as necessary.

If the decision is unsatisfactory, an appeal can be made to an Appellate Committee led by officers of grade 21. Organizers found guilty may face blacklisting for a designated period, along with other penalties.

The new regulations also empower the Ministry to provide compensation to affected pilgrims.

A stringent monitoring system for Hajj and Umrah operations will be implemented, alongside the establishment of dedicated funds to oversee these operations.

These changes are designed to promote transparency, protect pilgrims, and enhance service quality for both Hajj and Umrah.