The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has authorized banks open on March 25 and 26 to collect Hajj Application forms and fees for Hajj 2023.
The State Bank of Pakistan has ordered 14 authorized banks to keep all designated branches open to make it easier for aspiring pilgrims to submit application forms and fees for Hajj 2023 nationwide.
“To facilitate the intending pilgrims to deposit application forms along with dues for Hajj 2023, State Bank of Pakistan has directed 14 authorised banks to keep all their designated branches open […] throughout the country,” the SBP’s statement reads
These bank branches will be open nationwide from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The authorised banks include:
- Bank Alfalah
- Faysal Bank
- Askari Bank
- Bank Al-HabibNational Bank of Pakistan
- Habib Bank
- United Bank
- MCB Bank
- Allied Bank
- Bank of Punjab
- Zarai Taraqiati Bank
- Habib Metropolitan Bank
- Soneri Bank
- Meezan Bank
In compliance with the Hajj Policy 2023, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony authorized 14 banks to collect application forms and fees from pilgrims wishing to travel for the Hajj in 2023, beginning on March 16 and ending on March 31.
The government’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved the Hajj strategy for 2023 and resolved to offer $90 million in foreign exchange insurance earlier this month.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony reported this before the cabinet committee meeting, which Senator Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, chaired.
Pakistan has been allotted 179,210 hajj slots for 2023, according to a statement from the ministry of finance. These spaces will be divided evenly between the public and private hajj programs.
In addition, for 2023, the hajj package for the Northern region is estimated to cost Rs1,175,000. For the South region, Rs1,165,000, and 50% of the government and private hajj plans would be designated for sponsorship programs.