Pakistani Pilgrims Lead Record 22% Surge in Umrah Travel

Pakistan has become the nation that has provided the maximum number of pilgrims for Umrah this season – 200,000 Umrah pilgrims coming from Pakistan since the start of the current season after Hajj, more than the Indonesians, who are around 170,000, and the Iraqis, whose number is estimated at 130,000. This is due to the strong religious zeal and continuous financial effort by the Pakistani Muslims for Umrah in the earliest possible moment in every season.

The figures for the entire season are also no less spectacular. Almost 900,000 pilgrims have completed their Umrah during the one and a half months that the season lasted, starting from 15th Dhul-Hijjah 1448 AH up to 29th Muharram — a 22.5 percent rise compared to the last season.

Leading Countries of Umrah Pilgrims - This Season

While the 200,000 Pakistani pilgrims make up only around 22 percent of the 900,000 pilgrims who completed the pilgrimage during the opening season, they make up an oversized percentage when compared to their population size and their representation among the overall Islamic population worldwide. The record number of Pakistani Umrah pilgrims in 2026 is a result of their strong history of Umrah and post-COVID pent-up demand.

Why Pakistan Dominates the Global Umrah Season

The fact that there are 2026 Pakistani Umrah pilgrims shows some special aspects in terms of why Pakistan dominates the global Umrah season:

Priority for religion in all income levels. Umrah is deeply rooted in Pakistani Muslims' tradition as an aspiration to save money for over years. Unlike Hajj, where the allocation depends on the quota, Umrah can be done by anyone willing to and having a valid visa. This makes Umrah the main place for religious tourism in Pakistan, since it might take decades until the allocation of Hajj.

Umrah visa from May 31. The decision of Saudi Arabia to give out Umrah visas from May 31, 2026 generated a rush among those countries with a strong tradition of Umrah. Due to Pakistan's developed infrastructure of Umrah agencies and the capability to provide visas for religious tourism, Pakistani citizens are prompt when the visas become available.

Record amount of remittances. Pakistan has got USD4.3 billion worth of remittances in May 2026 – record monthly amounts of income generated due to earnings of overseas Pakistanis. Some part of this income in remittance-receiving households pays for the travel expenses.

Pakistan Makes Progress on Hajj Registrations, Hits 340,000 Mark

The news about Pakistani umrah pilgrims for 2026 along with the achievements in the number of hajj registration in the country is announced. The Ministry of Religious Affairs reported that 340,000 Hajj registrations have been made using two schemes

The announcement regarding online collection of Hajj requirements is anticipated. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has instructed those pilgrims who have registered to access Pak Hajj App and/or Hajj help lines. The aim is to engage with the registration procedure through digital means to avoid queuing up physically at the ministry offices.

A Season Showing the Devotion of Pakistani Muslims

The Pakistani Umrah pilgrims in 2026 will be the highest number is more than a mere statistic for tourism. They show hundreds of thousands of families from Pakistan achieving their cherished spiritual aspiration of saving, planning and traveling for one of the holiest voluntary acts in Islam.

The fact that Pakistan stands above all other countries in this global season demonstrates the religious dedication of the nation regardless of tough economic times, inflation and the difficulties of traveling internationally when the currency in Pakistan has devalued in recent years.