Pakistan cuts this year's Hajj costs, announces $17 million in refunds for last year's pilgrims

Arab News

05-02-2025

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Tuesday announced a reduction of up to Rs50,000 ($179) in this year's Hajj packages and a refund of over Rs4.75 billion ($17 million) to 2024 pilgrims.
Last month, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Hajj Agreement 2025, under which 179,210 Pakistanis will perform the annual pilgrimage this year. The quota is divided equally between government and private schemes.
To make the pilgrimage more convenient and accessible, Pakistan has introduced a shortened Hajj program of 20 to 25 days. The Ministry of Religious Affairs initially set the cost at Rs1,075,000 ($3,854) for the long Hajj package and Rs1,150,000 ($4,122) for the short Hajj package, as shorter stays often incur higher airfare, premium accommodation rates and expedited transport services, driving up overall costs.
For the first time, the Hajj Policy 2025 also allowed pilgrims to pay in installments, easing financial constraints. Under the scheme, the first installment of Rs200,000 ($717) was required with the application, followed by Rs400,000 ($1,435) within 10 days of balloting, while the remaining amount had to be paid by February 10.
'After successful negotiations by our committee in Saudi Arabia, the cost of the 40-day long Hajj package has been reduced by Rs25,000 ($90) to Rs1,050,000 ($3,764), while the 25-day short Hajj package has been reduced by Rs50,000 ($179) to Rs1,100,000 ($3,943),' Hussain told reporters in Islamabad.
He said pilgrims must submit the third installment in designated banks between February 6 and February 14, while every pilgrim will receive a notification via the 'Pak Hajj' cellphone app launched by the government.
The app is designed to provide real-time updates, guidance, emergency contacts, lodging details, route navigation and complaint registration to ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience.
'Pilgrims opting for the long Hajj package will need to pay a third installment of Rs450,000 ($1,613), while the third installment for the short Hajj package will be Rs500,000 ($1,794),' Hussain said.
He further informed that over Rs4.75 billion ($17 million) will be refunded to 2024 Hajj pilgrims, citing savings in sacrificial animal costs and airfare reductions.
'Refunds will be disbursed into pilgrims' accounts from February 7 onwards,' he added.
The minister said this year's government Hajj quota has been fully utilized and expressed hope that pilgrims will have an even better experience than last year.
'Pilgrims will have assistance available at all times, as one Hajj assistant will be assigned for every 150 pilgrims,' he continued.
'The assistant will travel with the pilgrims from the Hajj camp, stay with them and return with them, ensuring continuous support throughout the journey,' he added.