The federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has approved the Hajj Policy for 2025.
The decision was made during a cabinet meeting that also had a 12-point agenda to address concerning various national issues.
The approved draft of the Hajj policy will be forwarded to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which is expected to officially announce the details soon. Under the new policy, a total of 179,210 pilgrims will be allowed to perform Hajj in 2025.
The Hajj package is set to range between Rs1.065 million and Rs1.075 million. The Hajj quota will be split equally, with 50% allocated to the government scheme and the other 50% to the private Hajj scheme. A computerized lucky draw will be conducted regarding the government quota.
Under the sponsorship scheme, 5,000 government and 25,000 private Hajj quotas have been allocated. Under the Hajj Policy 2025, children under 12 years of age will not be allowed to travel for the pilgrimage. Moreover, 1,000 seats will be reserved for hardship cases, and 300 others for labourers or low-income employees.
A special Hajj management application has been created for the convenience of Hajj pilgrims. The ‘Road to Makkah’ facility will be available at Islamabad and Karachi airports.
As per the cabinet declaration, Hajj group organizers will contract with the Ministry of Religious Affairs as a service provider. This time, the post of nazim has been appointed to ensure better facilities for pilgrims.
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The declaration further sad that one administrator will be appointed for every 100 Hajj pilgrims; they will be selected from among the welfare staff.
Moreover, compensation has been increased for those who die or are injured during Hajj. The family of the deceased pilgrim will receive Rs1 million to Rs2 million, while Rs1 million compensation will be given to the injured Hajj pilgrims.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has been directed to formally announce the Hajj policy and issue the schedule for receiving applications.
During the meeting, the cabinet was also scheduled to review a report from the committee formed regarding price balance in the urea fertilizer market and approve the appointment of members to the Public Private Partnership Board. The agenda also includes the potential approval to signing of memorandums of understanding with three countries and a discussion on the current political and economic landscape of the nation.
A few days ago, the government proposed a new measure to provide relief to low-income and middle-class citizens planning to go on Hajj. A proposal allowing pilgrims to pay for Hajj expenses in three installments, instead of a single lump sum, was submitted to the federal cabinet for approval.
Sources said that the proposal for recovery of expenses from Hajj pilgrims in installments was part of the government's Hajj policy.
According to sources, prospective pilgrims would have the facility to pay Rs1.1 million in three installments. Under the proposed payment structure, the prospective pilgrims would be initially required to deposit Rs200,000 to apply for Hajj. Following their selection in the lucky draw, they would then pay an additional Rs400,000, with the remaining amount to be paid before departure.
