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Arab News
04-08-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan to start receiving Hajj 2026 applications today
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will begin on Monday the process of receiving applications for Hajj 2026 under the government scheme, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday. Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims. Of this, 129,210 seats have been allocated for the government scheme and the rest for private tour operators, Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced on July 30. Under the government Hajj scheme, pilgrims can avail either a long Hajj package of 38–42 days or a short package that consists of a duration of 20–25 days, with the estimated cost of the government's Hajj package ranging from Rs1,150,000 to Rs1,250,000 [$4,049.93 to $4,236]. 'Hajj applications can be submitted through designated banks and online portal,' the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported, citing Religious Affairs Ministry spokesman Muhammad Umar Butt. 'Fresh applicants may apply from 11th to 16th of this month if seats remain available.' Individuals, registered on a first come, first served basis, can deposit the first installment of their Hajj dues by Saturday, August 9, according to the report. The second installment will be collected from November this year. 'Receipt of Hajj dues will immediately be stopped once all the seats are filled,' Butt said. Saudi Arabia had approved a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Pakistan this year as well, but a large portion of the private Hajj quota for 2025 remained unutilized due to delays by tour operators in meeting payment and registration deadlines, while the government fulfilled its full allocation of over 88,000 pilgrims. Private operators attributed the shortfall to technical issues, including payment processing problems and communication breakdowns.
Express Tribune
03-08-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Hajj dues collection for 2026 to start from Monday
Listen to article Pakistan will begin collecting Hajj dues from intending pilgrims from Monday, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony said on Sunday. According to ministry spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt, individuals registered on a first‑come, first‑served basis may deposit the first instalment of their Hajj dues by next Saturday. He said Hajj applications can be submitted through designated banks or via the online portal. Fresh applicants may apply from August 11 to 16 if seats remain available. Collection of Hajj dues from the intending pilgrims is commencing from tomorrow#RadioPakistan #News — Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) August 3, 2025 'The receipt of Hajj dues will immediately be stopped once all the seats are filled,' Butt said. He added that the Hajj package for 2026 will range between 1.15 million and 1.25 million rupees, inclusive of the sacrificial offering (Dam‑e‑Shukr). The spokesperson said the second instalment of dues will be collected in November this year. He confirmed that restrictions on repeat Hajj and the upper age limit have been lifted. However, children born after March 1, 2014 are not eligible to apply.
Business Recorder
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Hajj 2026 applications open on Monday with ‘first-come-first-served policy'
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has announced the commencement of Hajj 2026 applications for registered pilgrims, with the collection of dues starting from Monday. The ministry's spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt, prospective pilgrims can submit their applications through designated banks and the official online portal. The registration process will follow a 'first-come, first-served' policy for already registered applicants, who will be required to deposit their first installment between August 4 and 9, he added. Umar said subject to seat availability, new applicants will be allowed to apply from August 11 to 16. However, he said the collection of Hajj dues will be halted as soon as all available seats are filled. Over 65,000 pilgrims unable to perform Hajj: Hajj operators, LCCI demand action He mentioned that the Hajj 2026 package is expected to cost between Rs1.15 million and Rs1.25 million, which includes the mandatory sacrificial offering (Dam-e-Shukr). He said the second installment will be collected from November 1. Umar said in a significant policy shift, the previous age cap and restriction on performing Hajj multiple times have been removed, broadening accessibility for aspiring pilgrims. However, the spokesperson clarified that children born after March 1, 2014, will not be eligible to apply for Hajj. He urged all interested pilgrims to act swiftly and complete their application procedures within the announced timeframes to secure their seats for Hajj 2026.
Express Tribune
09-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Hajj 2026 deadline extended
The religious affairs ministry on Wednesday announced a two-day extension in the deadline for Hajj 2026 registration, allowing prospective pilgrims to complete the process by Friday, July 11, 2025. According to the ministry's spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt, the decision was taken in response to a high number of requests from intending pilgrims. He said registration can be completed through 15 designated banks and the ministry's official online portal. As of now, more than 313,000 applicants have successfully registered for Hajj 2026, he added. Butt further clarified that the cost of the pilgrimage and other terms and conditions will be issued separately.
Express Tribune
15-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Post-Hajj flights continue amid tensions
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony confirmed on Sunday that the post-Hajj flight operation was continuing successfully despite global air traffic disruptions. Ministry Spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt said as of Saturday, a total of 11,418 Pakistani pilgrims had returned home from Saudi Arabia, while 4,995 more pilgrims were expected to arrive via 20 flights scheduled to land across five major cities on Sunday. "Today, six flights each will land in Islamabad and Lahore, four in Karachi, three in Multan, and one in Quetta," the spokesperson stated. The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will operate eight of these flights; Saudi Airlines, five; AirBlue, four; AirSial, two; and Serene Air one. "Despite the international challenges in air traffic, the return operation is proceeding efficiently," he noted, urging the pilgrims to maintain discipline to ensure a smooth repatriation process. Pilgrims were also advised to strictly adhere to the instructions. Pak airspace becomes key route Several foreign airlines have started using Pakistan's airspace for various international destinations as airspace closures continued in the Middle East region because of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, data shows. Major carriers, including Emirates, are now flying over northern Pakistan on routes to North America, Egypt, and other destinations. Their flight paths pass through western Pakistan, then proceed over Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Turkey before heading west. The airspaces of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel remained closed. The major airlines affected by the regional tension include El Al, Emirates, Lufthansa, Air India, Aeroflot, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, subsidiary AJet, Aegean Airlines, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, and flydubai. These carriers have suspended flights to and from Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan or rerouted flights over safer airspace such as Central Asia or Saudi Arabia. Iraq's closure affects one of the busiest air corridors between Europe and the Gulf. The airspace of Israel and Iran remained closed on Sunday. Jordan – which geographically lies between the two warring countries – reopened its airspace after a temporary closure. Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports have reported delays and cancellations linked to these restrictions. Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, its main international terminal, remained shut with all flights suspended until further notice, according to the Israel Airports Authority. Iran's Civil Aviation Organisation confirmed its airspace closure would remain in effect until Sunday evening. With input from agencies
