Pakistan Unveils Hajj Policy 2026: 179,210 Pilgrim Quota, Payments Start August 4

ISLAMABAD — The federal government has officially approved the Hajj Policy 2026, setting a quota of 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims, with Hajj applications and payment collections scheduled to begin from August 4, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced on Wednesday.

During a press briefing in Islamabad, the minister detailed the new policy framework aimed at delivering a more efficient, transparent, and digitally enabled pilgrimage experience. He stated that Pakistan’s total Hajj quota, as allocated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, includes 119,210 pilgrims under the government scheme and 60,000 for private Hajj operators, subject to final Saudi approval.

Applications will be processed strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, in line with Saudi directives. Pilgrims under the official scheme can choose between two packages:

• A long-stay option of 38 to 42 days
• A shorter stay of 20 to 25 days

Estimated costs will range between PKR 1.15 million to PKR 1.25 million, depending on final agreements with service providers. Pilgrims will deposit dues in two installments—the first being PKR 500,000 for the long package and PKR 550,000 for the short one, payable through designated banks.

Applicants must have valid Pakistani passports with an expiry no earlier than November 26, 2026. Children under 12 years of age are not eligible for the 2026 pilgrimage. All pilgrims must also be vaccinated with Saudi-approved vaccines.

The ‘Road to Makkah’ initiative will continue operations at Islamabad and Karachi airports, facilitating early immigration procedures. Overseas Pakistanis will be permitted to remit Hajj payments directly to designated bank accounts in Pakistan.

Private Hajj companies, including Dependent Hajj Companies (DHCs), will be required to enter formal agreements with the Ministry and will operate under real-time digital monitoring to prevent overbooking and service delays. A third-party audit system will evaluate their performance annually.

The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) will manage digital operations, while the Ministry of IT and National Information Technology Board (NITB) will oversee implementation.

To ensure a safe and seamless pilgrimage, the policy outlines several support measures:

• Deployment of emergency response teams
• Mandatory training for pilgrims on rituals, logistics, and safety
• A fully digital complaint redressal system
• The continued use of the ‘Pak Hajj App’ and 24/7 Hajj helpline
• Compensation for losses under the Hajj Guardian Scheme
• Compulsory animal sacrifice through the official Saudi system

Minister Yousaf emphasized that the Hajj Policy 2026 aims to provide a spiritually enriching and hassle-free experience for Pakistani pilgrims through stronger regulation, digital transformation, and better inter-agency coordination.

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