ISLAMABAD – The government of Pakistan has decided to return the Hajj quota to the Saudi government as around 21,000 seats were left unfilled.
According to well-placed sources, the government received merely 4,000 applications against the Sponsorship Hajj scheme for the upcoming year though the number of seats for this specific scheme was 25,000.
Last year, the Sponsorship Scheme was introduced by the government to allow overseas Pakistanis to deposit the Hajj dues in USD and reserve a seat for the Hajj. The government had decided that there would be no balloting under this scheme.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony recently announced the results for balloting under the regular Hajj Scheme and confirmed that the ministry had received under 4,000 applications against the Sponsorship Scheme.
As a result of the unallocated seats, the government would return the Hajj quota to the Saudi government for which the arrangements are being finalized. The government was given around 180,000 total seats by the Saudi government for the upcoming Hajj and under the government Hajj scheme, 63,805 applicants were declared successful recently.
In November last year, Religious Affairs Minister Aneeq Ahmad unveiled the Hajj policy for 2024, highlighting that Hajj 2024 was et to undergo digitalization under which pilgrims will receive an internet-free mobile application, allowing usage without an internet connection.
Moreover, in terms of seat allocation, Pakistan has secured approximately 179,000 Hajj seats, and half of these will be filled by private Hajj operators.
As far as the details of Hajj 2024 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.