Today, Tuesday, marks the final day for Pakistanis to submit applications for the annual Hajj pilgrimage under the federal government scheme, with over 75,000 applications already received. The government had extended the original deadline from December 3 to December 10. Saudi Arabia has allocated a total of 179,210 Hajj slots to Pakistan, which will be equally divided between the government and private schemes.
As of now, 75,337 applications have been submitted, leaving 14,268 available slots under the government scheme. Last year, Pakistan had to surrender 21,000 seats due to a lack of applications, but this year, the government aims to fill all the available slots.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs confirmed that designated banks will continue to accept Hajj applications today. Applicants must submit the first installment of Rs. 200,000 ($717) along with their applications.
Applications for Hajj opened on November 18, with around 15 designated banks accepting submissions. The ministry introduced the option for pilgrims to pay in installments this year, with a second installment of Rs. 400,000 ($1,435) due within ten days of the ballot, and the final balance to be paid by February 10 next year.
The ministry has also launched the “Pak Hajj 2025” mobile app, available for both Android and iPhone, to assist and guide pilgrims. Additionally, the government has reduced airfares for Hajj 2025, cutting Rs. 14,000 ($50) from ticket prices. Pilgrims enrolled in the government program will now pay Rs. 220,000 for airfare, a decrease from last year’s Rs. 234,000. This price reduction comes after agreements between Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Saudi Airlines, and other private carriers.
