ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will continue accepting Hajj applications for the remaining 1,640 seats under the government scheme on Thursday, the religious affairs ministry said, noting that torrential rains were causing difficulties for people in applying for the Islamic pilgrimage. 

Pakistan’s religion ministry announced earlier this month that it has been allocated a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for this year’s Hajj. Out of these, the ministry said around 118,000 seats have been allocated under the government scheme and the rest to private tour operators.

The religious affairs ministry said on Monday it has received 114,500 applications under the government scheme since Aug. 4 and will continue to accept applications for the remaining ones. In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry said only 1,640 seats remain under the government Hajj scheme.

“It has been decided to continue accepting applications for the vacant seats tomorrow (Thursday), Aug. 21,” the ministry said. “Applicants are facing difficulties due to rains and emergency conditions.”

Heavy rains and floods in several parts of the country have killed over 400 people since Aug. 15. In Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, torrential rains since last week have killed over 400 people. In Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi, heavy rains have killed at least 17 people since Aug. 19. 

Pakistan has designated 14 banks to receive Hajj applications. 

“Once all seats are filled, the designated banks will immediately stop accepting Hajj applications,” the ministry clarified. 

Under the government scheme, pilgrims can choose between a long package (38-42 days) and a short package (20-25 days), with costs ranging between Rs1,150,000 and Rs1,250,000 ($4,050–4,236).

Applicants are required to deposit a first installment of Rs500,000 [$1764] or Rs550,000 [$1941] depending on the package, while the remaining dues will be collected in November.

Saudi Arabia had approved the same quota for Pakistan in 2025, though private tour operators last year struggled to utilize their share, saying they faced technical and financial delays, even as the government filled its quota of over 88,000 pilgrims.