ISLAMABAD: A deadline for intending Pakistani Hajj pilgrims to submit their third installments of Hajj fees is set to expire today, Friday, Pakistani state media reported, citing the religious affairs ministry.
The Hajj Policy 2025 allowed pilgrims for the first time to pay in installments, easing financial constraints. Under the scheme, the first installment of Rs200,000 ($717) was required with the application, followed by Rs400,000 ($1,435) within 10 days of balloting. The remaining amount had to be paid by Feb. 10, which was extended till Feb. 14.
Last month, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Hajj Agreement 2025, under which 179,210 Pakistanis will perform the annual pilgrimage this year. The quota is divided equally between government and private schemes.
“Today is the last day for intending pilgrims to deposit the third installment of their Hajj dues,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported, citing religious affairs ministry spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt.
“The intending pilgrims under the Government Hajj Scheme have been asked to deposit their dues in the designated bank branches.”
Pakistan has also introduced a shortened Hajj program of 20 to 25 days to make the pilgrimage more convenient and accessible, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs. It set the cost at around Rs1,075,000 ($3,854) for the long Hajj package and Rs1,150,000 ($4,122) for the short Hajj package, as shorter stays often incur higher airfare, premium accommodation rates, and expedited transport services, which drive up overall costs.
The government has also launched the ‘Pak Hajj’ cellphone app to provide real-time updates, guidance, emergency contacts, lodging details, route navigation and complaint registration to ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience.
This month, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain announced a reduction of up to Rs50,000 (179) in this year’s Hajj packages and a refund of over Rs4.75 billion (17 million) to 2024 Hajj pilgrims to be disbursed from Feb. 7, citing savings in sacrificial animal costs and airfare reductions.