In a move to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims, the government has unveiled its Hajj Policy for the year 2025, announcing a significant increase in the country’s Hajj quota.
Increased Hajj Quota under the New Policy
- A total of 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims will be able to perform the Hajj in 2025, a substantial increase from previous years.
- The Hajj quota has been divided equally between the government and private Hajj schemes, with 89,605 seats reserved for each.
Sponsorship Opportunities in the Hajj Policy
- 5,000 seats will be available for sponsorship under the government Hajj scheme.
- 30,000 seats will be allocated to private Hajj tour operators for sponsorship.
- Participants in the sponsorship scheme must send foreign exchange through banking channels.
Accommodation Options in the Hajj Policy
- The traditional long stay for the government scheme will be 38 to 42 days, while the short stay will be 20 to 25 days.
- Applicants opting for double-bed and triple-bed accommodations in Makkah will need to deposit an additional amount of Rs75,000 and Rs220,000, respectively.
Cost and Payment Structure in the Hajj Policy
- The cost for the government scheme is expected to range between Rs1,075,000 to Rs1,175,000, with an additional cost of Rs55,000 for the sacrifice.
- The first instalment of Hajj dues, amounting to Rs200,000, must be deposited along with the Hajj application under the Government Hajj Scheme.
- The second instalment of Rs400,000 must be deposited within 10 days of balloting, and the remaining amount must be paid by February 10.
Refund Policy in the Hajj Policy
- There will be no deduction for refunds if an application is withdrawn before the last date of submission.
- A deduction of Rs50,000 will be made on a refund of the first instalment after the balloting.
- A deduction of Rs200,000 will be made if the third instalment is not deposited.
- No refund will be made after February 10, except in the case of the applicant’s death, where the deductions will not apply.
Application Process for the Hajj Policy
- Hajj applications will be received from November 18 to December 3, and balloting will be held on December 6.
- The government sponsorship scheme will operate on a “first come, first served” basis and will be exempted from balloting.
The unveiling of the Hajj Policy 2025 comes as a significant step forward in the government’s efforts to provide a seamless and accessible experience for Pakistani pilgrims seeking to fulfill their religious obligations.