Hajj 2025 vaccinations to begin soon

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf on Friday, informed that the vaccination process of intending Hujjaj would start next week and various centers have been established in major cities of the country for the purpose including Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur in Sindh.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has finalized preparations for Hajj 2025, with over 110000 Pakistani pilgrims set to embark on the sacred journey. Of these, 89000 will participate under the government scheme, while 23620 will travel through private tour operators. 

Training sessions for government scheme pilgrims are in their final stages, ensuring participants are well-informed about Hajj rituals, legal requirements, and the use of the Nusuk app. The vaccination process is scheduled to commence next week.

The ‘Road to Makkah’ initiative continues to facilitate pilgrims by allowing them to complete immigration procedures at Islamabad and Karachi airports, streamlining their arrival in Saudi Arabia. Discussions are underway to expand this facility to other major cities, including Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar. 

However, the private Hajj quota has been reduced due to some operators missing application deadlines, leading to a decrease from the initially allocated 89801 seats to 23620. The government is addressing this issue with Saudi authorities, resulting in the clearance of 10000 additional cases.

To enhance the pilgrimage experience, the government has arranged quality accommodations near the Haramain Sharifain, provided air-conditioned tents, and ensured round-the-clock transport services. Staff from the ministry and Maven will be available to assist pilgrims throughout their journey.

In pursuance of the directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, efforts are being made to ensure that pilgrims can perform Hajj with comfort and peace of mind.