ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received 91,300 Hajj applications under the government scheme, while intending pilgrims may apply for the remaining seats till Aug. 16, the Pakistani religious affairs ministry said on Tuesday.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims for 2026, with 129,210 seats allocated for the government scheme and the rest for private tour operators.
Applications for the remaining more than 37,000 seats under the government scheme can be filed through online portal or branches of 14 designated bank.
“The receiving of Hajj applications will be immediately stopped as soon as the available seats are filled,” the religious affairs ministry said in a statement.
Under the government scheme, pilgrims can choose between a long Hajj package (38–42 days) and a short package (20–25 days). The estimated cost of the government Hajj package ranges between Rs1,150,000 and Rs1,250,000 (approximately $4,050 to $4,236).
“It is mandatory to submit the first installment of Rs500,000 or Rs550,000 along with the application according to the package,” the ministry said.
“The second installment of Hajj dues will be collected from November 1.”
Saudi Arabia approved the same overall quota for Pakistan in 2025, but a significant portion of the private allocation went unused due to delays by tour operators in meeting payment and registration deadlines, while the government fulfilled its share of over 88,000 pilgrims.
Private operators blamed the shortfall on technical issues, including payment processing and communication problems.
