Hajj 2025 Applications
To assist intending pilgrims in submitting their applications for Hajj 2025, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has instructed 15 designated banks to remain open on the upcoming weekend—Saturday, November 30, 2024, and Sunday, December 1, 2024.
This move is aimed at facilitating the process of application submissions and payments for Hajj 2025, ensuring that pilgrims can complete their procedures before the official deadline.
The SBP issued these directives in response to a request from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, which sought support for intending pilgrims who need to deposit their Hajj applications and the associated dues.
The designated banks will open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on both days to cater to the applicants’ needs. This decision comes as the last date for submission is fast approaching—December 3, 2024, marking the cutoff for applications and dues for the upcoming Hajj season.
In addition to facilitating application submissions, the government has recently announced a significant reduction in airfare for Hajj 2025.
This adjustment is expected to provide substantial financial relief to the pilgrims, with a total of Rs 1.24 billion in savings for those enrolled in the federal government’s Hajj program.
The price reduction comes as part of a broader relief package aimed at easing the financial burden on pilgrims.
The reduction in airfares is notable, as it lowers the cost of airfare for Hajj 2025 by $50 per individual, which translates to a reduction of Rs. 14,000 per ticket compared to the previous year.
The new airfare for Hajj 2025 will be Rs. 220,000, down from Rs. 234,000 in 2024. This decrease in airfare costs marks the second consecutive year in which the government has successfully negotiated a reduction in flight prices for Hajj pilgrims.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), along with Saudi Airlines and various private carriers, has agreed to implement this reduction, further supporting the initiative to make the pilgrimage more affordable for Pakistan’s Muslims.
This collaborative effort from both government and airline sectors aims to ensure that the financial burden on pilgrims is minimized, helping more people fulfill their religious duties.
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