ISLAMABAD: Banks across Pakistan on Monday started receiving applications for Hajj 2025 from those who intend to embark on the annual pilgrimage.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Religious Affairs has said the quota for the government Hajj scheme is 89,605, while 5,000 seats have been reserved for overseas Pakistanis under the sponsorship scheme. As per the scheme they have to make a one-time payment in US dollars.
The government Hajj package covers airfare, accommodation, meals, training and vaccination.
According to the spokesperson, individuals with severe and complex medical conditions and children under the age of twelve will not be allowed to travel for Hajj. Women pilgrims will be allowed to travel with a group without a male guardian if they have permission from the guardian.
Applicants have been asked to seek guidance through the Hajj helpline, official website, mobile app and social media accounts.
Pakistan last week unveiled Hajj Policy 2025 as over 179,210 pilgrims from the country would travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj next year.
During a press conference in Islamabad, Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain said that Hajj applications will be received from November 18 to December 3, 2024, while balloting will be held on December 6.
He said pilgrims can pay fees for the annual pilgrimage in instalments for the first time. The first instalment of Hajj expenses, amounting to Rs 200,000, must be deposited along with the Hajj application under the government scheme, while the second instalment of Rs 400,000 must be deposited within ten days of the balloting. The remaining amount must be deposited by February 10 next year.
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Next year’s Hajj under the government scheme is expected to cost around Rs1,075,000 to Rs1,175,000, while an additional cost for the sacrifice will be Rs 55,000.
Saudi Arabia has allotted Pakistan a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj.
Hajj is a sacred pilgrimage and is one of the fifth pillars of Islam. Every year, millions of Muslims across the world travel to Makkah, Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.
