ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government is looking to facilitate the pilgrims by reducing the Hajj 2026 package after Saudi Arabia’s Al-Rajhi Tawafa Company reduced its costs.
The Saudi company has bid 200 riyals (about $53) less per pilgrim, which is expected to reduce the overall cost for Pakistani pilgrims, according to Arab News.
The current cost of the government package under the Pakistani Hajj scheme is between Rs 1.15 million and Rs 1.25 million, which will be finalized after final agreements.
This year too, $12.2 million (about Rs 3.45 billion) was returned to 66,000 pilgrims when the actual costs were less than the estimate.
Sardar Yousaf said that the amount that will be saved will be returned to the pilgrims.
According to Secretary Religious Affairs Dr. Syed Atta-ur-Rehman, the facilities provided by Al-Rajhi Tawafa Company included air-conditioned tents and comfortable beds, which were satisfactory for Pakistani pilgrims and were also appreciated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
The Minister of Religious Affairs said that efforts are being made to make next year’s Hajj even better, more transparent, and easier for pilgrims.
