Hajj 2024: Government issued date for receiving Hajj applications

Aneeq Ahmed, the Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has announced the receiving date for Hajj 2024 applications. According to Aneeq Ahmed, Hajj applications will be received from November 27th to December 12th.

Aneeq Ahmed also assured the transparent and merited operation of Hajj applications. He stated that all individuals or candidates will be given equal opportunities.

While assuring the transparency of applications he further stated the measures the government has taken to ensure the comfort of Pilgrims going for Hajj. He stated that a bag containing essentials is provided. He stated that a 30 kg capacity bag alongside a 7 kg hand carry is allowed. The bag will have a unique QR code alongside the Pakistani flag for identification. Moreover, Ahram belts for men, and special bags for shoes will all be provided by the government, free of cost.

Read more: Pakistani Women ‘conditionally’ permitted to perform Hajj without Mahram, Complete details here

In order to ensure smooth connectivity and collaboration, Ahmed Aneeq stated that a mobile SIM with 7 GB data will be provided to pilgrims during their stay in Saudi Arabia. He also stated that the Karachi Airport to be included in the Road to Makkah project was also under consideration. He said a short Hajj package will also be introduced soon for pilgrims. He also said separate bedrooms will also be allotted to pilgrims in Makkah. However, he did state that it all depends on the availability and maybe additional charges.

He further stated that the Hajj quota for 2024 and 2025 was fixed at 179,219 with a very equally balanced ratio among the Hajj schemes. 50% of candidates will be selected from the public while 50% will be selected from private Hajj schemes. He also stated that 25% of the total seats are actually reserved seats for sponsored candidates for the government Hajj scheme. Moreover, almost 48,000 seats were reserved for the private Hajj schemes.

He also addressed the Eligibility Criteria for the Hajj 2024 and 2025 scheme. He urged that individuals who performed Hajj in the year 2016 and 2017 are not eligible for Hajj in this year.