Govt announces 53 trusted Umrah operators for 1447 Hijri

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has released the list of verified Umrah companies for the upcoming pilgrimage season, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Friday.

According to the report, in the first phase, the credentials and agreements of 53 companies have been checked and included in the official list.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has also directed other Umrah operators to complete their agreements promptly to be added to the approved list.

At the same time, Umrah pilgrims have been strictly instructed to make bookings only through certified companies to avoid fraud or mismanagement.

According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, this verified list of Umrah operators will remain valid only for the Hijri year 1447.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has shared some serious concerns regarding delays in Pakistani airlines' Umrah flights.

On August 20, 2025, 24NewsHD reported that the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued a stern warning to the Director General of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The letter highlighted that under international standards, airlines must maintain an on-time arrival rate of 80 percent.

However, Pakistani carriers are performing well below the benchmark. PIA recorded 69 percent, AirBlue 65 percent, AirSial 46 percent, Fly Jinnah 43 percent, and SereneAir just 37 percent. GACA warned that unless immediate improvements are made, Pakistani airlines could face fines for delays.

The letter, signed by the President of GACA, urged Pakistani authorities to ensure corrective action without delay, as airlines continue to face operational difficulties due to widespread schedule disruptions.

Reporter: Usman Khan