Latest news with #HajjPolicy
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Hajj applications: Branches of designated banks to remain open today
KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced that branches of designated banks to remain open on Saturday for the collection of Hajj applications from registered applicants of Hajj 2026. In order to facilitate the collection of Hajj applications from registered applicants of Hajj 2026, State Bank on the request of Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony has directed 14 designated banks to keep their concerned branches open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2025 throughout the country. Earlier, in terms of Hajj Policy, the Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony has designated 14 banks (viz. National Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank, United Bank, MCB Bank, Allied Bank, Bank Alfalah, Zarai Taraqiati Bank, Faysal Bank, Askari Bank, Bank Al-Habib, Habib Metropolitan Bank, Soneri Bank, Meezan Bank and Bank Islami) to collect Hajj applications from registered applicants of Hajj 2026 w.e.f. August 4, 2025 till August 9, 2025 throughout the country. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
31-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Cabinet approves Hajj 2026, AI 2025 policies
The federal cabinet has approved the Hajj Policy for 2026 and the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy for 2025, marking significant steps towards digitising services and harnessing technology to drive economic growth. Chairing the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the complete digitalisation of next year's Hajj operation, aimed at providing the best facilities for pilgrims. "All efforts will be made to ensure the smooth provision of services to Hajj pilgrims," he said. The Hajj Policy 2026 includes a 70% government quota and a 30% private sector quota. It was highlighted that, following issues with the private sector in the previous year, private companies will ensure the participation of pilgrims who missed the Hajj in 2025. A new third-party validation system for Hajj operations will be implemented for both government and private companies, ensuring transparency. The policy also includes the allocation of 1,000 seats for hardship cases and real-time monitoring of payments and processes for pilgrims opting for private companies. Additionally, a transparent selection process for Hajj assistants will be held via a test. The government also plans to provide mobile SIM cards, digital wristbands, quality accommodations, and compensation for emergency situations. The Pakistan Hajj mobile app will be enhanced for payment, training, and complaints management. Artificial Intelligence On the AI front, the prime minister highlighted the government's focus on empowering youth and enhancing the economy through AI. The National AI Policy 2025 aims to improve public services, productivity, and economic inclusion. The policy will encourage the development of AI skills, training, and access for women and people with disabilities. The cabinet was briefed about the AI revolution expected globally by 2030, with significant financial impacts on the world economy. The policy will include an AI Innovation Fund and AI Venture Fund to encourage private sector involvement. Steps to increase AI use in public services, cyber security, and environmental management are also covered in the policy. AI 2030 goals Moreover, 1 million trained AI professionals, 3,000 annual scholarships, 1,000 local AI products, and 50,000 AI-related projects are targeted by 2030. To oversee the policy's implementation, the establishment of an AI Council and an Action Plan was approved. The cabinet also ratified decisions made in the Cabinet Committees on privatisation and legislation. Sharif further acknowledged the damage caused by recent rains across various regions of the country, with mountainous areas suffering the most. He directed that measures be taken to address the damage caused by these natural disasters. PM also lauded the efforts of the energy minister and his team, highlighting the successful negotiations with Independent Power Producers, which have resulted in billions of rupees in savings for the country. Armed Forces While addressing the meeting, PM Shehbaz also praised Pakistan's Armed Forces for their contributions to the country's security, highlighting their triumph in the war against India, which left the world in awe of Pakistan's military prowess.
Express Tribune
30-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Cabinet approves Hajj 2026, National AI policies
Listen to article The federal cabinet has approved the Hajj Policy for 2026 and the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy for 2025, marking significant steps towards digitising services and harnessing technology to drive economic growth. Chairing the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the complete digitalisation of next year's Hajj operation, aimed at providing the best facilities for pilgrims. 'All efforts will be made to ensure the smooth provision of services to Hajj pilgrims,' he said. The Hajj Policy 2026 includes a 70% government quota and a 30% private sector quota. It was highlighted that, following issues with the private sector in the previous year, private companies will ensure the participation of pilgrims who missed the Hajj in 2025. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs federal cabinet meeting. — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 30, 2025 A new third-party validation system for Hajj operations will be implemented for both government and private companies, ensuring transparency. The policy also includes the allocation of 1,000 seats for hardship cases and real-time monitoring of payments and processes for pilgrims opting for private companies. Additionally, a transparent selection process for Hajj assistants will be held via a test. The government also plans to provide mobile SIM cards, digital wristbands, quality accommodations, and compensation for emergency situations. The Pakistan Hajj mobile app will be enhanced for payment, training, and complaints management. National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025 On the AI front, the prime minister highlighted the government's focus on empowering youth and enhancing the economy through AI. The National AI Policy 2025 aims to improve public services, productivity, and economic inclusion. The policy will encourage the development of AI skills, training, and access for women and people with disabilities. The cabinet was briefed about the AI revolution expected globally by 2030, with significant financial impacts on the global economy. The policy will include an AI Innovation Fund and AI Venture Fund to encourage private sector involvement. Steps to increase AI use in public services, cyber security, and environmental management are also covered in the policy. براہِ راست: وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی کابینہ اجلاس میں گفتگو — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 30, 2025 Moreover, 1 million trained AI professionals, 3,000 annual scholarships, 1,000 local AI products, and 50,000 AI-related projects are targeted by 2030. To oversee the policy's implementation, the establishment of an AI Council and an Action Plan was approved. The cabinet also ratified decisions made in the Cabinet Committees on privatisation and legislation. Sharif further acknowledged the damage caused by recent rains across various regions of the country, with mountainous areas suffering the most. He directed that measures be taken to address the damage caused by these natural disasters. PM also lauded the efforts of the energy minister and his team, highlighting the successful negotiations with Independent Power Producers, which have resulted in billions of rupees in savings for the country. PM Shehbaz praises Armed Forces While addressing the meeting, PM Shehbaz also praised Pakistan's Armed Forces for their contributions to the country's security, highlighting their triumph in the war against India, which left the world in awe of Pakistan's military prowess. He reflected on the sacrifices made by Pakistan's security forces, noting that their victories have earned them global recognition. 'Allah has honoured the Pakistan Armed Forces,' he said, adding, 'They won the war against India, and the world is still astonished by our victory, praising Pakistan for it.' Sharif further commended the security forces for their ongoing efforts in fighting terrorism. "Our forces are making sacrifices in the fight against terrorists," he added. PM affirms full support for state of Palestine Shifting to international affairs, PM Shehbaz condemned the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, describing the situation as unprecedented in its severity. "The suffering witnessed in Gaza is unlike anything we have ever seen," he said, noting the widespread hunger and suffering of children. The prime minister confirmed that aid in the form of food supplies had been sent to Gaza, coordinated by the National Disaster Management Authority, and would be dispatched via Jordan. 'The state of Palestine will have our full support in securing its rights,' he affirmed. He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to working with other countries to ensure the Palestinian people receive justice.
Express Tribune
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Registration for Hajj 2026 kicks off
The process for registration for next year's Hajj has been started on the request of the Saudi government. According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, all people who are desirous of performing Hajj in 2026 should get themselves registered by July 9. This registration process — including submission of a registration form at the branches of 15 designated banks — is free of charge. The registration is, however, mandatory for all — people who are going to perform Hajj under the government scheme, people who want to utilize the private Hajj scheme as well as overseas Pakistanis. The people who could not perform Hajj this year due to late submission of requisite fee by private Hajj operators will also have to get themselves registered. This year thousands of Pakistanis could not perform pilgrimage to Makkah due to slackness of private Hajj operators. This registration will help the Saudi government in making various arrangements. The costs of Hajj respectively under the government and private Hajj schemes will be announced ahead of the next Hajj under the Hajj Policy 2026. The Hajj quota for each of the countries will also be announced later by the Saudi authorities on the basis of the registration data. According to Pakistan's Hajj Policy for 2025, a quota of 179,210 pilgrims was divided equally between the government and private schemes. The arrangements for the government scheme were fully handled by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and in accordance with Saudi directives.
Express Tribune
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PM urged to intervene in Hajj quota case
In November last year, the government announced that 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims would perform Hajj in 2025. Under the Hajj Policy, the Hajj quota was divided with a ratio of 50:50 between the government and private Hajj schemes with 89,605 seats reserved for each. However, in a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Religious Affairs spokesperson, Umar Batt, announced that only 23,620 pilgrims from Pakistan will be able to perform Hajj in 2025 under the Private Hajj Scheme Prior to the announcement, the ministry's secretary informed the Senate committee that around 67,000 people enrolled under private scheme seemed unlikely to be able to perform Hajj this year. At a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, both the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the president of the private Hajj operator's association gave detailed briefings. The association's president, Sanaullah, told the committee that the federal cabinet approved the Hajj Policy 2025 after a delay of over two months due to which private Hajj tour operators could not submit their applications on time. He said the funds of 67,000 pilgrims — 680 million riyals — had already been transferred to Saudi Arabia, and due to the limited time remaining, further arrangements were not possible. He demanded that a high-level committee be sent to Saudi Arabia, urging that the prime minister intervene in the matter. The Senate committee unanimously decided to write a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif requesting a meeting so that he may speak with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
