The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have reached an agreement to operate Hajj flights for 2025.
According to a spokesperson from the ministry, the national airline will provide travel services to 35,000 government-registered Hajj pilgrims as part of this arrangement.
The agreement was formally signed at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Islamabad between PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Aamir Hayat and Religious Affairs Additional Secretary Dr. Syed Attaur Rahman. The PIA CEO reiterated the airline’s commitment to delivering the highest standard of travel facilities to pilgrims.
The ministry spokesperson also indicated that similar agreements with Saudi Airlines and other local carriers are expected to be finalized soon.
On Nov 11, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain, along with the minister secretary, announced Pakistan’s Hajj Policy 2025 in a press conference, detailing procedures, costs, and regulations.
Also Read: Pakistan Hajj policy 2025: Check details of quota, costs, procedures
According to the policy, Pakistan has secured a quota of 179,000 Hajj pilgrims for 2025, distributed equally between government and private schemes.
The application process will run from November 18 to December 3, 2024, and the draw for the government Hajj scheme will take place on December 6, with a “first-come, first-served” principle applied to the government sponsorship applicants, who will be exempted from the lucky draw.
Salik added that every 100 pilgrims will be managed by an assistant (muawin).
Key highlights of the Hajj policy 2025:
1. Costs and packages: The official Hajj scheme will offer two packages -- a 38-42 day package for Rs1.075 million and a shorter 20-25 day package for Rs1.175 million.
An initial deposit of Rs200,000 is required with the application, followed by Rs400,000 within 10 days of the lucky draw if an applicant’s name is chosen, and the remaining amount would be mandatory between February 1-10, 2025 before departure for the pilgrimage.
2. Quota distribution: The total quota of 179,210 will be split equally between public and private schemes, with an allocation of 89,605 seats each. Additionally, 5,000 seats will be reserved for the government’s sponsorship scheme, which requires sending foreign exchange through banking channel, while the private scheme will allocate 30,000 seats for sponsored pilgrims.
Also Read: Federal cabinet approves Hajj Policy 2025: Check out new quotas, packages
The minister explained that the foreign exchange collected through the sponsorship scheme will be used only for the payment of Hajj-related expenses in Saudi Arabia.
3. Additional fees: Facilities like sacrifices would cost an additional Rs55,000. Pilgrims can opt for other additional facilities like double-bed or triple-bed accommodations in Makkah for an extra fee of Rs220,000 and Rs75,000 per applicant, respectively.
4. Compensation for families: Families of pilgrims who pass away during Hajj will receive Rs2 million, and those injured will receive Rs1 million.
5. Refund policies: Applicants who withdraw before the last date will receive full refunds. However, Rs50,000 will be deducted if the withdrawal happens after the lucky draw, and Rs200,000 will be deducted if the third installment isn’t submitted.
Refunds will not be issued for cancellations of the pilgrimage after February 10, except in case of the applicant’s death.
6. Measures against begging: Pakistan is taking strict measures to prevent pilgrims from engaging in begging, including crackdowns on Umrah pilgrims involved in such activities.
