ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government on Tuesday extended its deadline for the submission of Hajj applications till December 10, a religious affairs ministry official said, hoping to receive applications for the remaining 21,171 seats to complete the quota.
Saudi Arabia has allotted Pakistan a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, which would be divided equally between the government and private schemes. On Nov. 18, around 15 designated Pakistani banks started receiving applications for Hajj 2025 from the intending pilgrims.
The deadline to file Hajj applications was December 3 that has now been extended to receive more applications, according to the religious affairs ministry. All applications received till December 3 have been accepted, including the applications received through sponsorship scheme.
“We have received 68,434 applications so far which may increase till 12 midnight,” Umar Butt, a spokesperson for the religious affairs ministry, told Arab News.
Last year, Pakistan surrendered 21,000 Hajj seats to Saudi Arabia due to a shortage of applications, but this year the government is hopeful of achieving the required number of applications till December 10.
The religious affairs ministry last month announced the country’s Hajj 2025 policy, allowing pilgrims for the first time to pay Hajj fees in installments.
“The balloting will be held if the applications are received more than the allocated Hajj quota,” the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday, adding the deadline for submission of Hajj applications had been extended keeping in view people of far-flung areas.
Under the government scheme, the first installment of Hajj dues, Rs200,000 ($717), must be deposited along with the Hajj application, while the second installment of Rs400,000 ($1,435) has to be deposited within ten days of balloting. The remaining amount has to be deposited by Feb. 10 next year.
Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has launched the ‘Pak Hajj 2025’ mobile application to guide and facilitate pilgrims. The app is available for both Android and iPhone users.
The Pakistani government has also announced a reduction in airfares for Hajj 2025, with a Rs14,000 ($50) drop in ticket prices. Pilgrims enrolled in the federal program will now pay Rs220,000 for airfare, down from last year’s Rs234,000. The national flag carrier, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Saudi Airlines and other private airlines have agreed to the relief package, according to the Pakistani government.
The religious affairs ministry has appealed to the overseas Pakistanis to deposit their sponsorship funds till December 10 to hold the slots.
“Hajj applications can be submitted through an online portal on the ministry’s website,” the ministry said. “Pilgrims have been requested to download the Pak Hajj mobile app for new instructions.”
Pakistan extends deadline for Hajj applications with over 21,000 seats still available
https://arab.news/8y7v8
Pakistan extends deadline for Hajj applications with over 21,000 seats still available
- Saudi Arabia has allotted Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for upcoming Hajj pilgrimage
- All applications received till Tuesday have been accepted without any draw, ministry says
Pakistan arrests suspect arriving from Cambodia amid crackdown on human smuggling
- Suspect worked at an “online fraud company” in Cambodia, later started smuggling people from Pakistan, says FIA
- Pakistan has intensified crackdown against human smugglers after hundreds of migrants drowned near Pylos in 2023
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Sunday said it had arrested a key suspect involved in smuggling humans who had arrived from Cambodia, alleging he was also part of an international fraud network.
The suspect, identified as Zainullah, was arrested by FIA officials when he arrived in the southern port city of Karachi from Cambodia.
Zainullah had traveled from Pakistan to Cambodia in September 2024, a press release issued by the agency said.
“He worked at an online fraud company in Cambodia and later became involved as an agent in recruiting individuals from Pakistan,” the FIA said.
The FIA said it recovered images of multiple individuals’ passports, payment receipts and bank transaction records after extracting data from Zainullah’s phone.
It said the suspect received money through personal bank accounts and a cryptocurrency account.
“The suspect has been handed over to the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle, Karachi, for further legal proceedings,” the FIA said.
“Further investigation is underway.”
Pakistan intensified action against illegal migration in 2023 after hundreds of migrants, including 262 Pakistanis, drowned when an overcrowded vessel sank off the Greek town of Pylos, one of the deadliest boat disasters in the Mediterranean.
Authorities say they continue to target networks sending citizens abroad through dangerous routes, following heightened scrutiny at airports and a series of arrests involving forged documents.
Pakistan’s interior ministry said this week illegal migration to Europe has declined by 47 percent this year after its nationwide crackdown, saying that more than 1,700 human smugglers have been arrested in 2025.
