Govt announces four-year (2027-2030) Hajj policy 

For the first time in the country’s history, the federal government has announced a four-year (2027-2030) Hajj policy, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday. 

Announcing the policy, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said that the purpose of the policy was to make arrangements for Hajj permanent, transparent and at par with international standards. “Under the policy, for the first time systems of registration, waiting list, digital monitoring and complaint addressal are being introduced,” the minister elaborated.

He said that the policy had been formulated in line with the instructions given by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Vision 2030.   

He informed that for the first time, intending pilgrims would be able to get their applications registered by paying only 10 per cent of the total amount.

Yousaf said that the government and private Hajj schemes quota would continue to remain 60 and 40 per cent, respectively, while private Hajj companies would be registered and additional quota would be allotted to them on the basis of their performance.

The minister said that initially, Hajj expenditures had been proposed between Rs1200,000 and Rs1300,000. “However, final expenditures can be increased or reduced keeping in view the situation.”

He informed that Pakistan’s Hajj quota would remain at 179,000.

The minister went on to say that Hajj training sessions would also be made more effective. 

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Religious Affairs Ibrar Ahmad Mirza said that the collection of Hajj applications through a special mobile application would start in the next 10 days.

He asked intending pilgrims not to pay the amount to any private company without the approval of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.