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
Pakistan and Morocco plan permanent defense framework, military training cooperation
- Defense Minister Khawaja Asif is on a two-day official visit to Morocco where he will meet his counterpart
- Talks come as Muslim countries have expressed growing interest in developing defense ties with Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday said Pakistan and Morocco will establish an institutional framework for permanent defense ties, paving the way for future cooperation in military training.
Asif is undertaking a two-day visit to Morocco from Jan. 12-14 to hold meetings with Morocco’s Minister of State for National Defense Administration Abdel Latif Loudayi. The visit comes as several Muslim nations have expressed interest in defense agreements with Pakistan following its performance in the brief conflict with India last year.
According to a social media post shared by Asif, Pakistan and Morocco are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance defense cooperation during his visit.
“Under the agreement, an institutional framework will be established for permanent defense links,” he announced in a post on Instagram.
“The MoU will also open new avenues for future collaboration across various defense and security sectors, including military training, exchange of experiences, capacity building, and other joint initiatives.”
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTcZYrwgvVY/?
Asif added that he would also lead delegation-level talks aimed at enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest between Pakistan and Morocco.
Pakistan and Morocco share longstanding friendly relations, with strong diplomatic, defense and economic ties reinforced by periodic high-level visits and bilateral agreements.
In April last year, the Pakistani and Moroccan armies launched the third edition of their joint bilateral military exercise to enhance professional skills of soldiers and strengthen defense ties.
In November 2024, Moroccan Air Force Inspector Major General Mohammed Gadih met Pakistan’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu to express interest in collaborating with the Pakistan Air Force in the aerospace sector.
