Speedy passport issuance on the cards for overseas Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD – The overseas Pakistanis applying for Hajj this year would be able to get their passports swiftly under a new policy devised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.

Pakistanis with dual nationality used to wait for months to get their passports; however, the process is now being streamlined to facilitate the expats.

Under this policy, the clearance for passports would be issued in seven days, and in case, it is not issued, it would be deemed to have been issued after which overseas Pakistanis participating in Hajj through the private Hajj scheme will be issued temporary passports.

The relevant authorities have also been alerted in this regard so that the overseas Pakistanis can be facilitated in the performance of their spiritual journey which is scheduled in Juen this year.

As far as the details of the upcoming Hajj are concerned, the government has introduced a short Hajj package, ensuring completion within 25 days. Priced at Rs 80, 000 more than the Long Hajj package, the cost for Short Hajj stands at Rs 1,140, 000 for individuals from the southern region(Burewala, Bhakkar, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Jhang, and Dera Ghazi Khan) and Rs 1,150, 000 for those from the northern areas (Mansehra, Naran, Kaghan, Gilgit, Chilas, Passu and Karimabad).

For the Long Hajj package, pilgrims will have an extended journey lasting up to 42 days, with eight of those days spent in Medinah. Departing from southern parts like Karachi, Quetta, and Sukkur, the cost of this experience is Rs 1,065,000. For those departing from the northern parts (Mansehra, Naran, Kaghan, Gilgit, Chilas, Passu, and Karimabad) the cost is slightly higher at Rs 1,075, 000.

Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, obligatory for all Muslims who can afford it. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Pilgrims perform a series of rituals, symbolizing unity, equality, and spiritual cleansing.