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Express Tribune
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Hajj application process begins Aug 4
The government will start receiving applications for the official Hajj scheme from August 4, following the federal cabinet's approval of the Hajj Policy 2026. Selections will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, in line with the Saudi timeline. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said Pakistan has been allocated a quota of 179,210 pilgrims — 119,210 under the government scheme and 60,000 for private operators, subject to final confirmation by Saudi authorities. The government scheme will include both the traditional 38-42 day package and a shorter 20-25 day option. Estimated costs are expected to range between Rs1.15 million and Rs1.25 million, depending on final agreements with service providers. Pilgrims will be required to deposit Hajj dues in two installments, with the first installment — Rs500,000 for the long package and Rs550,000 for the short one through designated banks, he added. Minister Yousaf said applicants must hold valid Pakistani passports until at least November 26, 2026, and children under 12 years of age will not be eligible for Hajj this year. He said all pilgrims must be vaccinated with Saudi-approved vaccines. He said the 'Road to Makkah' initiative will continue at Islamabad and Karachi airports. He said overseas Pakistanis will be allowed to remit Hajj payments to nominated bank accounts under the scheme. The policy mandates compulsory animal sacrifice payments through the official Saudi system, he added. Minister Yousaf said private Hajj operators, including Dependent Hajj Companies (DHCs), will be subject to strict financial safeguards and transparent digital oversight. He said these operators must enter service provider agreements with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony and operate under real-time data monitoring to ensure transparency, prevent double bookings, and ensure timely services. He said a third-party audit system will evaluate the performance of both government and private Hajj schemes. The Punjab Information Technology Board will continue operational digital support, with the Ministry of IT overseeing supervision through NITB, he added. Minister Yousaf said further measures include the deployment of emergency response teams, the continuation of the "Hajj Guardian Scheme" to compensate pilgrims for losses, mandatory training on logistics, rituals, and emergency protocols, and a fully digitized complaint redressal mechanism. He said the 'Pak Hajj App' and helpline will assist pilgrims with updates and issue resolution throughout the Hajj process. The Hajj Policy 2026 will help ensure a transparent, efficient, and spiritually fulfilling experience for all Pakistani pilgrims through digitization, regulation, and improved service delivery mechanisms, he maintained. 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.
Business Recorder
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Hajj-2025 flight operation starts today
LAHORE: All is set for the Hajj flight operation to airlift intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia commencing from Tuesday. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has completed all necessary arrangements for smooth operation of Hajj flights. On the first day of the Hajj flight operation, six flights will be operated, two from Lahore and one each from Islamabad, Karachi, Quetta and Multan. Under the government Hajj scheme, 89,000 pilgrims will be transported to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah through 342 flights. During the first 15 days of the operation, pilgrims will be flown directly to Madinah. The hajj flight operation will continue for 33 days. The last Hajj flight from Pakistan will depart on May 31. Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has asked intending pilgrims to uphold national image during Hajj journey by strictly following Saudi laws. In an interview, he advised pilgrims to strictly adhere to all rules, regulations and instructions issued by the Saudi authorities as these are designed for the smooth conduct of Hajj. He felicitated the pilgrims for being chosen for this sacred journey and said they also serve as ambassadors of their country. He advised them to remain fully focused on prayers during their stay at the Holy land. About his recent visit to the Saudi Arabia, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf commended the arrangements made by the Saudi leadership for the guests of Allah. He highlighted their continued efforts in ensuring the comfort, safety and well-being of all the pilgrims. He also called upon pilgrims to pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of Pakistan, unity of the Muslim Ummah, and for the oppressed Muslims of Gaza and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. On the other hand, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Lahore General Hospital, Dr. M. Maqsood has advised those going to perform Hajj to begin regular walk and endurance exercises immediately to build stamina, enabling them to better cope with the harsh weather and physical exertion. He emphasized that Pakistani performing Hajj are going to embrace a profound spiritual obligation, involving long walk and physically demanding rituals which may lead to fatigue, physical weakness and other health challenges. Dr. M. Maqsood stressed that individuals suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases or joint pain must pay extra attention to their health and carry essential medications and sufficient water during the pilgrimage. He highlighted that staying in Arafat and Muzdalifah, walking long distances, performing Tawaf and completing the Sa'i can be physically strenuous. Despite the excellent arrangements made by the Saudi authorities, the medical expert noted that elderly and chronically ill pilgrims may experience discomfort, breathlessness or anxiety due to overcrowding so, elderly pilgrims are strongly encouraged to take special care of their health in Hajj days. Keeping in view the extreme heat in Saudi Arabia, he recommends that pilgrims must carry water, a wet towel and an umbrella at all times. Moreover, they should follow their doctors' advice regarding daily medication for diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease and other health conditions to avoid medical emergency. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Gulf Today
18-04-2025
- Gulf Today
Pakistani pilgrims to be provided with air-conditioned camps in Mina during Hajj, says minister
Gulf Today Report Besides other facilities, Pakistani Hajj pilgrims would be provided with folding mattresses and air conditioners in camps in Mina, Saudi Arabia, announced Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Mohammad Yousuf on Friday. The minister made the remarks during his visit to the Hajji Camp in Karachi, to oversee the final preparatory session for Hajj organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony. Speaking at the session, the religious affairs minister praised the care and attention put towards imparting crucial information regarding the significant method and means of performing Haj. 'Several new modifications have been made in the Hajj process. The new changes upheld and arranged by the Saudi and Pakistan governments, respectively, have been devised to ease the journey for pilgrims,' he added. He said that the government had made arrangements to accommodate all pilgrims in 'Markaziya' to make sure they have the easiest access and assistance they may require. He reiterated the need for discipline from the pilgrims travelling to the holy land as ambassadors of Pakistan, in making queues, showing patience and abiding by the stated guidelines. The speakers arranged by the ministry imparted to the pilgrims a detailed session on properties, characteristics and the chronological order in which the different steps on haj are to be embodied. The preparatory session entailed the three pillars and six compulsions required of Haj pilgrims in order to fulfil their duty of performing Hajj. The ministry would provide a Pakistan-labelled scarf, trolley and mini bag in order to facilitate identification and ensure all pilgrims are well packed. In addition to this, they would be given a SIM to facilitate WhatsApp calls from Saudi Arabia, a facility that is not possible on SIMS bought from Saudi Arabia, This is to help the pilgrims maintain contact with their loved ones back home, said the minister.
