ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf has announced the country’s first four-year Hajj policy for 2027 to 2030, with the proposed cost of the pilgrimage set at between Rs1.2 million and Rs1.3 million, subject to variation.
The federal minister said the policy was not merely a policy document but the beginning of comprehensive reforms in Hajj arrangements.
He said a transparent, modern and pilgrim-focused policy had been formulated on the prime minister’s instructions, under which the Hajj system had been digitalised and a four-year registration and waiting system introduced to facilitate service agreements lasting three to four years.
Sardar Yousaf said the ratio of government and private Hajj quotas would remain at 60 and 40 percent, respectively, while intending pilgrims would be able to submit applications after depositing only 10 percent of the amount.
He said all payments would be made through the government’s financial system, while a third-party audit would be conducted. Any remaining amount would be returned to the pilgrims, and the government would supervise the entire Hajj process.
According to the Minister for Religious Affairs, the new policy has been prepared in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Registration and monitoring of private Hajj companies would be based on their performance, while a digital complaints and appeals system is being introduced for the prompt resolution of pilgrims’ grievances.
He said the Hujjaj Protection Scheme would remain in place, while the training of pilgrims would be made more effective.
The minister said Hajj expenses had been proposed at between Rs1.2 million and Rs1.3 million, with the amount subject to increase or decrease. He added that the process of collecting payments would begin soon.
Pakistan’s overall Hajj quota stands at 179,210 pilgrims.
