ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry said on Monday that around 16,000 seats remain vacant under this year’s private Hajj scheme, urging intending pilgrims to book their births before an Oct. 17 deadline.
Pakistan has been allocated a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026. Of these, around 118,000 seats have been allocated to the government scheme and the rest to private tour operators.
“Under the Private Hajj Scheme 2026, bookings for 44,000 pilgrims have so far been completed out of a total quota of 60,000,” the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony said in a statement.
“Those wishing to perform Hajj under the private scheme are advised to complete their bookings with ministry-approved Hajj companies before the deadline.”
Around 63,000 Pakistani pilgrims were unable to perform Hajj last year under the private scheme due to payment delays and mismanagement by private tour operators, forcing Islamabad to surrender the unused quota to Saudi Arabia.
Last month, Pakistan announced that Hajj applicants who are unable to proceed due to emergencies can either request a refund or nominate a blood relative to perform the pilgrimage on their behalf the following year — a major relief for intending pilgrims.
Under the government’s Hajj scheme, applicants paid an initial installment of Rs500,000 ($1,764) or Rs550,000 ($1,941), depending on the selected package, in August, while the remaining amount will be collected in November.
