ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry said on Tuesday all 79,000 applicants who had filed to perform the Hajj 2025 pilgrimage under the federal government scheme were “successful,” as the deadline for submissions expired.
Saudi Arabia has allotted Pakistan a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj, to be divided equally between the government and private schemes. The government last week extended the deadline for the submission of Hajj applications for government scheme slots from Dec. 3 to Dec. 10.
“The ministry of religious affairs has given great news to Hajj applicants, all 79,000 Hajj pilgrims who submitted applications till Dec. 10 have been declared successful,” the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
With 79,000 Hajj applications received so far, 10,605 slots remain vacant under the government scheme. Last year, Pakistan surrendered 21,000 Hajj seats to Saudi Arabia due to a shortage of applications, but this year the government hopes all slots can be filled.
“Decision taken to continue receiving applications on a first-come, first-served basis for a few thousand vacant seats,” the ministry added, saying the application process would close as soon as the Hajj quota was met.
The religious affairs ministry announced this year’s Hajj policy last month, allowing pilgrims to pay Hajj fees in installments for the first time. The first installment of Rs200,000 ($717) must be deposited along with the application while the second installment of Rs400,000 ($1,435) has to be submitted 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 Pakistan government has also announced a reduction in airfare 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 Pakistan government.
Pakistan says 79,000 Hajj applicants received in government scheme as submission deadline expires
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Pakistan says 79,000 Hajj applicants received in government scheme as submission deadline expires
- With 79,000 Hajj applications received so far, 10,605 slots remain vacant under the government scheme
- Last year, Pakistan surrendered 21,000 Hajj seats to Saudi Arabia due to a shortage of applications
OIC’s COMSTECH stresses academic collaborations across Muslim world in Islamabad meeting
- COMSTECH holds annual meeting in Islamabad featuring 30 delegates from Iran, Somalia, Palestine, Indonesia and other OIC states
- Limited pool of skilled professionals one of the foremost challenges facing Muslim world, notes COMSTECH secretary general
ISLAMABAD: The OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) called for stronger academic collaboration across Islamic states to secure the future of higher education in the Muslim world, state-run media reported on Saturday.
COMSTECH’s Coordinator General Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary was speaking at the Annual Meeting of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence at the organization’s Secretariat in Islamabad. The event brought together vice chancellors, rectors, and senior representatives from leading universities across OIC member and observer states.
Nearly 30 international delegates representing universities from Iran, Somalia, Palestine, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Bangladesh, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal joined their counterparts from several Pakistani institutions at the meeting. Participants attempted to chart a collective path forward for tertiary education in OIC countries.
“Collaborations, knowledge sharing, best practices, exchange of scholars, technology transfer and joint academic programs are vital for overcoming the educational challenges faced across the OIC region,” Choudhary said, according to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
The COMSTECH secretary general noted that one of the foremost developmental challenges facing OIC nations remains the limited pool of skilled professionals and workforce.
He said this gap can only be bridged through strengthened tertiary education systems and expanded opportunities for knowledge transfer.
Discussions at the event highlighted the urgent need for competency-driven education, modern pedagogical tools, university–industry partnerships and collaborative training programs designed to equip graduates with the skills necessary to address emerging global challenges.
“The Annual Meeting served as a vital platform for reviewing progress achieved over the past year, identifying future priorities, and deepening academic cooperation to promote scientific excellence and sustainable development across the OIC region,” the APP said.
