The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved the Hajj Policy 2026, introducing major changes in quota distribution between government and private Hajj schemes, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported.
The meeting also approved the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2025.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad today and directed complete digitization of the Hajj operation beginning in 2026.
The new Hajj policy allocates 70 per cent quota to the government and 30 per cent to private operators.
Notably, private companies that failed to fulfill their responsibilities in the previous year will now be required to accommodate affected individuals in 2026.
The Hajj package under the government scheme is expected to cost between Rs11,50,000 and Rs 12,50,000 for intending pilgrims.
In 2025, Pakistan’s total Hajj quota was 179,210, equally divided between the government and private sectors. However, due to significant mismanagement, over 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims were unable to perform Hajj that year.
Moreover, the federal cabinet approved third-party validation for all Hajj operations, real-time monitoring of payments and application processes under private operators, a mandatory minimum of 2,000 pilgrims per private company, and 1,000 seats reserved for hardship cases. The meeting also asked to enhance digital tools, including the Pak Hajj mobile app, digital wristbands, and mobile SIMs for better tracking and service delivery.
The Prime Minister also directed the Ministry of Information Technology to collaborate with the Ministry of Religious Affairs to ensure seamless digital transformation of the entire Hajj process.
In another major development, the Federal Cabinet unanimously approved the National AI Policy 2025, designed to create a complete AI ecosystem in Pakistan. The policy aims to democratize access to artificial intelligence, enhance public services, and open up new employment and innovation avenues.
“Our youth are Pakistan’s greatest asset. Providing them with education, skills, and equal opportunities in AI is a top priority,” stated PM Shehbaz Sharif.
The AI policy outlines training 1 million AI professionals by 2030, establishing an AI Innovation Fund and an AI Venture Fund to boost private sector involvement
The salient feature of the new policy is to create 50,000 AI-driven civic projects and 1,000 local AI products in the next five years. Distribution of 3,000 annual AI scholarships and facilitation of 1,000 research projects, inclusion of women and differently-abled individuals through accessible education and financing, strengthening cybersecurity, and national data security protocols are other features of the policy.
An AI Council and a comprehensive Master Plan & Action Matrix will oversee the policy’s implementation.
The Cabinet also ratified decisions made in earlier sessions of the Cabinet Committee on Privatization and the Committee on Legislative Business held on July 8, 17, and 25, respectively.