The government of Pakistan has taken steps to address the confusion surrounding the costs associated with the Hajj pilgrimage for the upcoming year. They have introduced an online calculator on the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony website, allowing individuals to input details about their Hajj package to determine the exact cost. This initiative aims to provide clarity, especially considering the introduction of multiple payment categories.
To make the Hajj pilgrimage more financially accessible, the federal government, represented by the Caretaker Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Aneeq Ahmed, has announced a significant reduction of one lac rupees in government Hajj expenses.
Additionally, new allowances have been introduced, such as pilgrims being permitted to bring a 30kg suitcase each, and female pilgrims receiving scarves (Abaya) adorned with the national flag.
In the realm of technology, a mobile application has been developed to assist pilgrims with navigation and enable constant communication between pilgrims and relevant Pakistani officials. Furthermore, the integration of Islamabad and Karachi into Saudi Arabia’s Road to Makkah project has been emphasized. This integration is designed to simplify immigration formalities for pilgrims within Pakistan.
Aneeq Ahmed also shared that Pakistan has been allocated 179,000 Hajj seats, with half of them to be filled by private Hajj operators. However, he assured that the ministry would closely monitor these private operators to ensure the well-being of the pilgrims they handle.
The government has set a timeline for accepting Hajj applications, starting from November 27th and continuing until December 12th. Notably, for the first time, the government has introduced a Short Hajj package, allowing pilgrims to complete the religious ritual in 20-25 days.
In contrast, the Long Hajj package spans 38-42 days, including an 8-day stay in Medinah. It has been clarified by the government that the Short Hajj Package is more expensive than the Long Hajj package, providing individuals with different options based on their preferences and available time.
