Saudi Arabia has ended the requirement for women to have a male guardian (mahram) for Hajj, allowing female pilgrims to travel independently. Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, welcomed the move and shared plans to introduce Hajj installment payments by 2026 to ease financial burdens. He also announced improved facilities for Pakistani pilgrims, including air-conditioned tents in Arafat. With over 455,000 Pakistanis already registered, the government is working on a new Hajj policy and expects an increased quota of 255,000 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to accommodate growing demand.