Pakistan Announces Special Arrangements for Hajj 2025, Bank Branches Open on Weekends for Applications

Islamabad:The Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced key arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims planning to perform Hajj in 2025. As part of the preparations, 15 designated banks will begin receiving Hajj applications and payments for Hajj 2025 from November 18 to December 3, 2024. To facilitate applicants, these banks will remain open on the weekends, specifically on November 30 and December 1, to accept Hajj applications and fees. The designated bank branches will operate from 9 AM to 2:30 PM on these days.

According to the details shared by the State Bank, each applicant will be required to submit an initial payment of PKR 200,000 along with their application. After the draw (lottery), a second payment of PKR 400,000 will be collected, with the remaining balance to be paid by February 10, 2025.

Minister for Religious Affairs, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, confirmed that around 179,210 Pakistani citizens will undertake the pilgrimage under the government scheme. The total cost for the pilgrimage will range from PKR 1,075,000 to PKR 1,175,000. For any cancellations, a PKR 50,000 deduction will be applied to the first installment, while failing to make the third payment will result in a PKR 200,000 deduction. After February 10, 2025, no refund will be provided.

The government has also introduced a new policy where 1,000 seats will be reserved for pilgrims facing hardship, and an additional 300 seats will be allocated for low-income workers who are registered with the Employees Old Age Benefit Institution (EOBI) or the Workers Welfare Fund.

In line with these reforms, the government has appointed a “Nazim” (administrator) for every group of 100 pilgrims. This administrator will be selected from welfare staff to oversee the group’s arrangements during the pilgrimage. Furthermore, a special Hajj management app has been developed to assist pilgrims and provide necessary training for a smooth experience.

The policy also includes a new compensation package, raising the financial support for the families of deceased pilgrims from PKR 1 million to PKR 2 million.

The Hajj 2025 policy was approved by the federal cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with further oversight being provided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.