Govt issues list of 113 approved Umrah companies

Pakistan’s religious ministry on Tuesday published a list of 113 certified Umrah companies on its website, urging intending pilgrims to verify the credentials of travel agencies before booking tickets to Saudi Arabia to avoid fraud.

According to officials, agreements of 53 companies from across the country have been attested in the first phase. The verified operators belong to Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and other cities. Each company went through a strict scrutiny process to ensure compliance with government standards and regulations.

The ministry has urged all intending pilgrims to verify operator details on the official website before booking. It further instructed that all payments must be made through banks directly into the official account of the selected company. Pilgrims have also been advised to collect payment receipts and copies of contracts to avoid any disputes or fraud during their journey. Spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt said the verification process is meant to protect pilgrims from scams and financial losses. He added that other companies should complete their documentation and agreements in line with ministry requirements to be added to the verified list.

The ministry emphasised that booking only through approved operators will ensure a safe and hassle-free Umrah experience. The verified list of Umrah companies is now available on the ministry’s official website for easy public access. This initiative reflects the government’s efforts to provide transparency and safeguard the interests of pilgrims traveling from Pakistan.