Government and Private Hajj Scheme Quotas to Be Split 50:50
LAHORE ( WEB NEWS )
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, announced Pakistan’s Hajj policy for 2025, revealing that the country’s Hajj quota for the year will be 179,210 pilgrims. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, the Minister stated that the quota for both the government and private Hajj schemes will be split equally, with 89,605 seats allocated for each.
He further explained that in the government Hajj scheme, 5,000 seats will be reserved for the sponsorship scheme. The expected cost for the government Hajj scheme will range from 1.075 million to 1.175 million rupees. Additional services, including the cost of animal sacrifice, will amount to 55,000 rupees.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain noted that participation in the sponsorship scheme will require foreign exchange remittances through banking channels. The private Hajj scheme will have 30,000 seats dedicated to the sponsorship scheme. The government’s sponsorship scheme will follow a “first-come, first-served” basis and will be exempt from the lottery process.
He clarified that the foreign exchange accumulated through the sponsorship scheme will only be used to cover Hajj-related expenses in Saudi Arabia. The government Hajj scheme will offer two types of packages: a traditional long package (38 to 42 days) and a short package (20 to 25 days).
The Minister also stated that, according to Saudi guidelines, every organized private Hajj group must consist of at least 2,000 pilgrims. For the 2025 Hajj, the expected costs for the government scheme will be between 1.075 million to 1.175 million rupees.
Additional charges include 55,000 rupees for the sacrifice, and for accommodation in Makkah, an extra 220,000 rupees for a double bed room and 75,000 rupees for a triple bed room per applicant will be required.
Regarding payments, the federal minister outlined that the first installment of 200,000 rupees must be submitted with the Hajj application, and an additional 400,000 rupees will need to be paid within ten days of the lottery draw. The remaining amount must be paid between February 1 to 10, 2025.
The Minister also mentioned the refund policy: if applicants withdraw before the final date of submission, no deduction will be made. However, if they withdraw after the lottery draw, a deduction of 50,000 rupees will be made. If the third installment is not paid, a deduction of 200,000 rupees will apply.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain concluded by stating that no refund will be provided after February 10, 2025, if the applicant decides not to proceed with the Hajj. In the event of the applicant’s death, the aforementioned deductions will not apply.