Saudi govt bars sick Pakistanis from performing Hajj in 2025

Islamabad: The Saudi government has banned sick people from performing Hajj, saying only healthy and energetic people will be allowed to come and perform the annual religious ritual.

A health advisory has been issued to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which prohibits Pakistanis suffering from complex diseases will not be able to perform Hajj in 2025.

According to the spokesman of the religious affairs, the Saudi govt has said in a letter that in view of the severity of the weather only healthy and energetic pilgrims will be allowed to perform Hajj. "People suffering from heart, lungs, kidney, liver and cancer diseases will not be allowed."

The spokesman further added that people with dementia and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) and whooping cough will also not be allowed. Children less than 12-year-old and pregnant women wouldn’t perform Hajj.

Also, it will be compulsory for pilgrims to get vaccinated for meningitis, seasonal influenza, corona and polio, the advisory further states.