The federal cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has given the green light to the Hajj Policy 2025.
The decision was reached in a cabinet meeting with a 12-point agenda covering various national matters. The approved policy draft will now go to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which is set to announce further details soon. Under the new policy, a total of 179,210 pilgrims will be allowed to perform Hajj in 2025.
The Hajj package will range from Rs1.065 million to Rs1.075 million. The quota will be evenly split, with 50% allocated to the government scheme and the remaining 50% to private schemes. Additionally, the policy designates 5,000 quotas for government and 25,000 for private sponsorship schemes. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will announce the policy formally and set a schedule for application submissions.
The cabinet also reviewed a report on stabilizing urea fertilizer prices, approved appointments to the Public Private Partnership Board, and considered signing memorandums of understanding with three countries. Broader discussions on the political and economic situation were also part of the agenda.
In a recent development, the government proposed a new payment option for low- and middle-income Hajj pilgrims. The suggested measure, now part of the Hajj policy, would allow pilgrims to pay for Hajj expenses in three installments rather than a lump sum. Sources indicate that the installment plan would let pilgrims pay Rs1.1 million in stages, starting with an initial deposit of Rs200,000 upon application. After selection, an additional Rs400,000 would be due, with the remaining balance to follow.