Hajj policy 2025: Minister unveils costs, quotas, application deadline for pilgrims

The Ministry of Religious Affairs made public the Hajj 2025 policy, revealing information on the expenses for the pilgrimage, deadlines for submitting applications.

Smoothly put, the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, disclosed the Hajj policy for next year's pilgrimage in a press conference held in Islamabad today.

This announcement follows its recent approval by the federal cabinet last week.

He mentioned that the Hajj quota would be  divided between government and private schemes, totaling 79,600 for each.

He stated that applications for the government Hajj scheme will be received from November 18 to December 3, with the balloting set to take place on December 6.

Salik shared that a total of 179,210 Pakistanis are set to embark on the spiritual journey of Hajj, with the note that individuals under 12 years of age will not be participating in the pilgrimage this year.

The minister unveiled the estimated costs for pilgrims traveling to the sacred sites in Saudi Arabia, ranging from Rs1,075,000 to Rs1,175,000.

To embark on the sacred journey, a pilgrim is required to provide an initial sum of Rs200,000 upon submitting the Hajj application.

Upon successful selection through balloting, a further deposit of Rs400,000 is to be made. The remaining payments are to be settled by February 10, 2025.

If there is a need to cancel, a deduction of Rs50,000 will be applied before refunding the first installment.

On the other hand, if the third installment is not paid, Rs200,000 will be deducted. Please note that refunds will not be processed after February 10, 2025.

According to the policy, the minister mentioned that the compensation for the deceased's heirs has been raised from Rs1 million to Rs2 million.

Last week, the federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved the Hajj Policy 2025.