Govt Hajj scheme allocated 70pc quota for next year

Hajj policy for 2026 approved aimed at transparency, says govt.

ISLAMABAD: Seventy percent of Pakistan’s Hajj quota for 2026 will be allocated to the government Hajj Scheme, while the remaining thirty percent will be managed by the private sector.

The policy for Hajj 2026 was approved by the federal cabinet at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.

Private Hajj operators will be obligated to accommodate those who were unable to perform Hajj last year due to mismanagement by tour companies.

To ensure transparency and quality, third-party validation will be mandatory for both government and private sector operations. Services provided to pilgrims will be proportional to the amount paid, with an emphasis on quality accommodation, meals, and overall experience.

A total of 1,000 seats will be reserved under hardship cases. Private Hajj companies must cater to a minimum of 2,000 pilgrims each. Real-time monitoring of pilgrims’ payments and application processing will be implemented, along with strict oversight of private operators throughout the Hajj season.

The selection of Moavineen (Hajj assistants) will be conducted through a transparent testing process. Pilgrims will be equipped with mobile SIMs and digital wristbands for tracking and support. They will also receive compensation in case of emergencies or accidents.

Additionally, the “Pak Hajj” mobile application will be further enhanced to support digital payments, training modules, complaint management, and access to various Hajj-related services.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the digitization of Hajj operations and emphasized the need to provide pilgrims with top-quality facilities. He directed the Ministry of Religious Affairs to ensure the full implementation of the approved policy.

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