Banks across Pakistan started receiving applications for Hajj 2025 on Monday, offering the opportunity for citizens to apply for the annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
A total of 15 designated banks are processing Hajj applications, with a deposit requirement of Rs 200,000 for each applicant. According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the government’s Hajj scheme has a quota of 89,605 seats, with 5,000 reserved for overseas Pakistanis through the sponsorship scheme.
The government Hajj package includes airfare, meals, accommodation, training, and vaccinations. However, individuals with severe medical conditions or children under 12 years of age will not be eligible to travel, the spokesperson added.
In a statement last week, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain announced that a total of 179,210 Pakistanis would be eligible for the pilgrimage next year. This includes 1,000 seats allocated for hardship cases and 300 seats for low-income workers or laborers registered with the Employees Old-Age Benefit Institution (EOBI) or the Workers Welfare Fund.
The total expected cost for a pilgrim ranges between Rs 1,075,000 and Rs 1,175,000. Applicants must first deposit Rs 200,000 with their application. Once selected through a balloting system, they will need to pay a further Rs 400,000, with the final balance due by February 10, 2025.
In case of cancellation, the first installment is refundable with a deduction of Rs 50,000. However, if the third installment is not paid, the second installment will be non-refundable, and no refunds will be given after February 10, 2025.
The minister also announced an increase in the compensation amount for heirs of deceased pilgrims, raising it from Rs 1 million to Rs 2 million.
