Govt receives record breaking Hajj applications in just two days

ISLAMABAD: In a very short period, the federal government has received an overwhelming number of Hajj applications, as more than 4,774 people have applied within two days.

This remarkable development is an improvement from previous years, where only 1,300 applications were collected within the same period. Out of the total received applications, 4,734 were in regular government schemes and 40 applications were in bank sponsorship schemes.

The government has issued specific directives regarding the application for Hajj, one of which is that an applicant is expected to pay or submit Rs 200,000 with the application. An extra four lakh will be collected at the time when names are pulled in the balloting, while the last portion of money can be remitted before or on February 10.

It shall be noted that the application procedure will cease on 03rd December and the application for government sponsorship will be based on first come first serve.

The federal government also announced the Hajj Policy 2025 which provided a framework for those intending to go on Hajj and the management of the Hajj payments.

The said policy states that the Hajj allocation will be evenly split between government and private schemes, with 50% of the quota set for each scheme.

This year no child below the age of twelve years will be permitted to go for Hajj, nor shall any persons suffering from critical or infectious diseases.

The policy further provides for a new system of paying for the Hajj fees through increments, giving first-time pilgrims more of the priority.

In the event of the death of a pilgrim, the family of the deceased shall be paid an amount of Rs 2 million, and injured pilgrims will also be given compensation. 5,000 special quota has been allocated for the Pak:stanis living abroad. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik said that every effort will be made to avoid any such situation.