Private pilgrims’ group bookings to start from THIS date

ISLAMABAD: In a recent development, the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain, chaired a crucial meeting regarding private Hajj arrangements.

Other key officials, including Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi and Chairman HOAP Nasir Khan, attended the meeting. The meeting focused on private Hajj operations and finalized agreements with mutual consensus, deciding that private pilgrims’ group booking will commence from January 10.

Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi stressed the importance of adhering to the laws of both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Earlier, the government had extended the submission deadline for Hajj forms for the third time, but only 82,000 applications were received by the end of the extended period. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has declared all applicants successful. Still, it is now working to fill the remaining 7,000 quota slots, considering reopening the application process or allocating the remaining quota to private Hajj operators.

For new bookings, people are advised to download the mobile app ”Pak Hajj’ onto their smartphones. Applications received after December 17, 2024, will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis.

The ministry added that the second installment of Hajj 2025 dues was to be paid at designated banks from December 19 to December 27. To assist intending pilgrims, the State Bank of Pakistan has directed 15 designated banks to keep their branches open on Sundays across the country.

The central bank issued these directives upon requests from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony to facilitate the depositing of Hajj applications and dues for Hajj 2025.

It’s worth noting that the government has been struggling to meet its quota, and one main reason is that financial constraints prevent many people from applying under the government scheme. Residents in remote areas also face challenges just in submitting their applications.