ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the Hajj Policy 2025, said an official statement, specifying a quota of 179,210 pilgrims and introducing a new position of the “nazim” or administrator to ensure improved services for those embarking on the spiritual journey.
Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, is an annual pilgrimage to Makkah undertaken by millions of Muslims. Pakistan has one of the largest Hajj quotas provided by Saudi Arabia to any Muslim country amid immense demand for the pilgrimage, with many citizens waiting years for an opportunity to participate.
“The federal cabinet approved the Hajj Policy 2025 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony,” an official handout from the Prime Minister’s Office said. “The cabinet was informed that Pakistan’s Hajj quota for 2025 will be 179,210, divided equally between the government and the private sector.”
The new policy includes the creation of a “nazim” position, aimed at ensuring the well-being of pilgrims throughout the journey.
“For every 100 pilgrims, one nazim will be appointed from the welfare staff,” the handout added, underscoring the government’s intent to improve the pilgrimage experience.
Under the policy, children under 12 will not be allowed to travel for Hajj. Government quota allocation will be conducted through computerized balloting, with 1,000 seats reserved for hardship cases and 300 for laborers or low-income employees registered with the Workers Welfare Fund or the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution.
Additionally, the Makkah Route Initiative, offering streamlined immigration services, will be available at Islamabad and Karachi international airports. To further enhance the experience, Hajj Group Organizers will sign service agreements with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, with close monitoring of service quality.
In light of previous challenges, the cabinet has increased compensation for pilgrims who may pass away or get injured during the pilgrimage. The families of deceased pilgrims will receive Rs1 million to Rs2 million, while injured pilgrims will receive Rs1 million in compensation.
A specialized Hajj management app has also been developed to support pilgrims, along with extensive training initiatives.
The cabinet directed priority in the balloting process to first-time pilgrims and emphasized the importance of ensuring top-quality services for all participants.
Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2025, adds new role to improve pilgrim services
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Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2025, adds new role to improve pilgrim services
- Pakistan will send 179,210 pilgrims, equally divided between the government and private sector
- Government will prioritize first-time pilgrims in the official balloting process, says a statement
Firefighters put out blaze near site of deadly shopping mall inferno in Karachi
- Building fires have become an increasingly frequent occurrence in Pakistan’s Karachi, where an inferno killed dozens last month
- Thousands rallied in city on Sunday to demand resignations of officials and systemic reforms, underscoring deepening public anger
KARACHI: Firefighters have extinguished a fire that erupted at a commercial building in Pakistan’s southern city of Karachi close to the site where a deadly blaze killed dozens of people last month, the city’s deputy mayor said on Monday.
The fire erupted at a building near the Mobile Phone Market in Karachi’s Saddar business district, according to Karachi Deputy Mayor Salman Murad.
Two people were rescued in the incident who were given medical assistance by a Rescue 1122 ambulance on the spot, a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said.
“The fire brigade and rescue agencies took timely action. Thank God, there was no loss of life,” Murad said in a statement.
“The cause of fire is being determined and the losses of affected shopkeepers will be assessed.”
The incident occurred close to Gul Plaza, a multi-story shopping complex, where a fire last month killed at least 67 people and gutted 1,200 shops, with more than 15 people still missing.
Fire incidents have become an increasingly frequent occurrence in Karachi, a megacity of more than 20 million people, where fire services remain severely overstretched and under-resourced relative to population density and the scale of commercial activity.
Thousands rallied in Karachi on Sunday to demand the resignations of local officials and systemic reforms, underscoring deepening public anger over civic failures in Pakistan’s largest city.
