The Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, has announced the 2025 Hajj policy, which includes several updates and cost details for Pakistani pilgrims. Here are the main points:
- Cost Range: Pilgrims choosing the government Hajj scheme must pay Rs1,075,000 and Rs1,175,000. They will also need to pay an additional Rs55,000 for the sacrificial offering.
- Application Period: The ministry will accept Hajj applications from November 18 to December 3 and hold the draw on December 6.
- Accommodation Options: Pilgrims will pay additional charges depending on their accommodation type in Makkah—Rs220,000 for a double bed and Rs75,000 for a triple bed.
- Instalment Payments: Pilgrims must make payments in three instalments:
- The first instalment is Rs200,000, which is due with the Hajj application.
- Second Installant: Rs400,000, due within ten days of the draw.
- Final Amount: Due by February 10, 2025.
- Refund Policy: The ministry will make no deductions if a pilgrim withdraws the application before the final submission date. If a pilgrim refunds the first instalment after the draw, the ministry will deduct Rs50,000. If a pilgrim fails to pay the third instalment, the deduction will be Rs200,000.
- Special Provisions: The ministry will not apply the deductions above in case of an applicant’s death.
- Seat Allocation: The government has allocated 179,210 seats for Pakistani pilgrims, split evenly between the government and private schemes. Additional seats are available under sponsorship schemes.
- Sponsorship Scheme: Pilgrims must send foreign exchange through official banking channels. The government has reserved 5,000 seats for its sponsorship scheme, while private Hajj group organizers have 30,000 seats for sponsorship. These funds will cover only Hajj-related expenses in Saudi Arabia.
- Group Size for Private Hajj: Private Hajj groups must now include at least 2,000 pilgrims, as smaller groups previously encountered difficulties securing accommodations upon arrival.
This policy demonstrates a structured and detailed approach to managing the logistics and finances of Hajj, ensuring better preparation and service provision for pilgrims.
