ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced on Wednesday that the federal cabinet has approved the country’s Hajj Policy 2026, with Islamabad set to receive applications for the pilgrimage under the government scheme from Aug. 4.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Yousaf said currently the quota for Pakistani pilgrims is 179,210. However, he said a response from the Saudi government is awaited in this regard.
He said out of the total pilgrims’ quota, 129,210 seats have been allocated for the government scheme and the rest for private tour operators.
“Today, by the grace of Allah, the federal cabinet has approved the Hajj Policy 2026,” Yousaf said. “We will start to receive Hajj applications under the government scheme from the first week of August, from the fourth.”
Yousaf pointed out that under the government Hajj scheme, pilgrims can avail either a long Hajj package of 38–42 days or a short package that consists of a duration of 20–25 days.
Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf (c) announces the Hajj Policy 2026 in Islamabad on July 30, 2025, following its approval by the federal cabinet at the Prime Minister’s Office. (Photo courtesy: MoRA/Handout)
He said Hajj applicants must be Muslim Pakistani passport holders, with a passport valid until Nov. 26, 2026.
“Children under 12 will not be allowed to perform Hajj this year,” the minister said.
He said as per the government scheme, Hajj applicants must submit their Hajj dues in two installments. Yousaf said the estimated cost of the government’s Hajj package will range from Rs1,150,000 to Rs1,250,000 [$4,049.93 to $4,236], subject to final agreements with service providers.
He said the first installment payment will be accepted at designated banks across Pakistan from Aug. 4.
“Due to Saudi Arabia’s timelines, selection will be on a first-come, first-serve basis,” Yousaf clarified.
Receiving a Saudi-approved vaccine is mandatory for all intending pilgrims, the minister said, adding that Makkah Route Initiative facilities will continue to be provided to pilgrims at Pakistan’s Islamabad and Karachi airports.
Yousaf said a monitoring team from Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs will oversee the overall Hajj operations to maintain the quality of services.
Saudi Arabia had approved a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Pakistan this year as well. A large portion of the private Hajj quota for 2025 remained unutilized due to delays by tour operators in meeting payment and registration deadlines, while the government fulfilled its full allocation of over 88,000 pilgrims.
Private operators attributed the shortfall to technical issues, including payment processing problems and communication breakdowns.
