Over 16,000 apply for Pakistan’s first-ever Short Hajj

ISLAMABAD – Introduced for the first time in history, the short Hajj package has attracted as many as 16,000 applicants from Pakistan.

The statistics highlighted by Director General Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro confirm that those who are busy found it much more comfortable to register for the Short Hajj this year.

Speaking with the state media in Makkah, the official emphasized that the short Hajj package caters to the needs of busy individuals, offering a concise pilgrimage experience in 25 to 30 days.

Soomro elaborated on the measures undertaken to streamline the pilgrims’ journey in Saudi Arabia, ensuring timely accommodations in Mina and providing a dedicated train service to transport Pakistani pilgrims to the Mashayer.

In response to inquiries, the Director General highlighted that the government Hajj scheme focuses on aiding the low-income segments of society.

Encouraging pilgrims to grasp the spiritual essence of the pilgrimage, the DG Hajj urged them to maintain composure throughout the pilgrimage.

The total Hajj quota allocated to Pakistan this year stands at approximately 179,000 seats, including those reserved for private Hajj operators.

By introducing the Short Hajj package alongside the continued sponsorship scheme, authorities aim to enhance accessibility to pilgrimage opportunities.

The Long Hajj package spans 38-42 days with an 8-day stay in Medinah and is priced at Rs 10,65,000 for South region travelers and Rs 10,75,000 for those from other cities.

For sponsorship scheme applicants, costs amount to $3765 for the South Region and $3800 for the North Region for the Long Hajj package.

Short Hajj packages, priced at Rs 11,40,000 for the South region and Rs 11,50,000 for the North region, offer a brief 20-25-day pilgrimage experience.

Sponsorship Scheme applicants can opt for the Short Hajj package at $4015 USD for the South region and $4050 for the North region; the Hajj is set to begin in June and the government of Saudi Arabia has finalized arrangements to welcome over 2 million pilgrims from across the world.