ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Tuesday announced an extension in the deadline for submitting Hajj applications under the government Hajj scheme, now set to expire on December 10.
The previous deadline was December 3. Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain confirmed in a statement that all Hajj applications received between November 18 and December 3 have been approved. Additionally, applications under the sponsorship scheme have been accepted without balloting, with overseas Pakistanis required to deposit the sponsorship fee by December 10.
Under the 2025 Hajj Policy, Pakistan’s quota of 179,210 pilgrims will be equally distributed between government and private schemes, with 89,605 seats each. At least 5,000 seats under the government scheme are reserved for the sponsorship category.
Reports indicate that approximately 70,000 applications are expected to be received by tonight, all of which will be approved without balloting. However, Minister Hussain warned that applications exceeding the quota after December 3 might require balloting.
Applicants have been depositing Rs200,000 with their applications. A second installment of Rs400,000 will be collected from shortlisted pilgrims. The remaining Hajj expenses must be paid by February 10, 2024.
The ministry’s spokesperson revealed that the Hajj flight schedule will be finalized once the application process concludes. Hajj costs for 2025 are projected to range between Rs1,075,000 and Rs1,175,000.
In line with the policy, special allocations include 1,000 seats for hardship cases and 300 for low-income workers registered with the Employees Old-Age Benefit Institution (EOBI) or Workers Welfare Fund.
Successful applicants can look forward to a detailed itinerary and further instructions in the coming months as preparations for Hajj 2025 continue.
