The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have signed an agreement to provide air travel for 35,000 pilgrims under the government Hajj scheme for 2025. This agreement is part of Pakistan’s newly approved Hajj Policy 2025, with further agreements expected with Saudi Airlines and other domestic carriers, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The Hajj quota for 2025 will be evenly split between the government and private schemes, with each receiving 50 percent. The policy also includes a provision that children under 12 years old will not be allowed to perform Hajj this year. Families of deceased pilgrims will receive a compensation of Rs2 million, while injured pilgrims will also be eligible for compensation.
A key feature of the Hajj Policy 2025 is the introduction of an installment-based payment plan, with priority given to first-time pilgrims. The total cost for Hajj will range from Rs1.075 million to Rs1.175 million, payable in three installments: Rs200,000 at the time of application, Rs400,000 after the selection lottery, and the remaining balance before departure.
Chaudhry Salik, in announcing the policy, emphasized efforts to prevent any reduction in the Hajj quota. Unused quotas from the sponsored scheme will be transferred to the general quota, and 5,000 slots have been set aside specifically for overseas Pakistanis. Additionally, Rs100,000 owed to previous pilgrims will soon be refunded.
The policy also stipulates that individuals with serious or contagious illnesses will not be allowed to perform Hajj this year.
