Hajj 2025 under govt scheme to cost up to Rs1.1 million

The federal cabinet has approved the Hajj Policy 2025, outlining the details for next year's holy pilgrimage, sources said on Thursday.

According to sources, the official Hajj package is expected to cost between Rs1.75 million and Rs1.175 million.

Around 179,000 pilgrims from Pakistan will perform the sacred pilgrimage under the government scheme next year, sources added.

The government and private operators will each receive a quota of 89,605 pilgrims.

Almost 1,000 quotas will be reserved for 'hardship cases' and 300 for low-income workers registered under the Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI).

The duration of the Hajj will vary, with the long Hajj spanning 38-42 days and the short Hajj lasting 20-25 days.

However, children under 12 years of age will not be eligible to travel for Hajj.

The "Road to Makkah" facility will be available at Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi airports.

Women without a Mehram (male guardian) will be allowed to perform Hajj under specific terms set by the Islamic Ideological Council.