Pakistan organizes second phase of Hajj training for 2026 pilgrims in Islamabad

A Pakistani Hajj pilgrim arrives at The Hajj Complex in Islamabad on August 23, 2016, before leaving for the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the Islamic holy cities of Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia. (AFP/File)
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Updated 11 January 2026
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Pakistan organizes second phase of Hajj training for 2026 pilgrims in Islamabad

  • Training sessions held to inform pilgrims of various stages of Hajj, precautionary measures, obligatory acts, says state media 
  • Pilgrims told to improve their physical fitness, keep essential travel documents and vaccination cards ready ahead of Hajj 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs organized the second phase of Hajj training for 2026 pilgrims in Islamabad today, Sunday, state media reported. 

Pakistan’s religion ministry kicked off the first phase of the mandatory Hajj trainings last Sunday in Islamabad and other cities. The ministry said the trainings were made mandatory to ensure that intending pilgrims are fully aware of Hajj rituals and administrative procedures. 

“Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony organized second phase of Hajj training session for pilgrims in Islamabad today,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. 

It said the primary objective of the program was to provide awareness about the various stages of the pilgrimage, necessary precautionary measures and the obligatory acts of both Hajj and Umrah.

“Pilgrims were advised to improve their physical fitness by walking 2 to 3 kilometers daily and keep essential travel documents including original passport, CNIC, flight ticket, visa copies and vaccination cards ready,” the state media said. 

Intending pilgrims were strictly warned against carrying prohibited items such as narcotics, naswar (smokeless tobacco), cigarettes and unverified medicines.

Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026, of which around 118,000 seats have been reserved under the government scheme while the remainder will be allocated to private tour operators.

Under Pakistan’s Hajj scheme, the estimated cost of the government package ranges from Rs1,150,000 to Rs1,250,000 ($4,049.93 to $4,236), subject to final agreements with service providers.


Two Pakistani men indicted in $10 million Medicare fraud scheme in Chicago

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Two Pakistani men indicted in $10 million Medicare fraud scheme in Chicago

  • Prosecutors say defendants billed Medicare and private insurers for nonexistent services
  • Authorities say millions of dollars in proceeds were laundered and transferred to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistani nationals have been indicted in Chicago for allegedly participating in a $10 million health care fraud scheme that targeted Medicare and private insurers, the US Justice Department said on Thursday.

A federal grand jury charged Burhan Mirza, 31, who resided in Pakistan, and Kashif Iqbal, 48, who lived in Texas, with submitting fraudulent claims for medical services and equipment that were never provided, according to an indictment filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Medicare is the US federal health insurance program primarily serving Americans aged 65 and older, as well as certain younger people with disabilities.

“Rooting out fraud is a priority for this Justice Department, and these defendants allegedly billed millions of dollars from Medicare and laundered the proceeds to Pakistan,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement.

“These alleged criminals stole from a program designed to provide health care benefits to American seniors and the disabled, not line the pockets of foreign fraudsters,” he added. “We will not tolerate these schemes that divert taxpayer dollars to criminals.”

Prosecutors said that in 2023 and 2024, the defendants and their alleged co-conspirators used nominee-owned laboratories and durable medical equipment providers to bill Medicare and private health benefit programs for nonexistent services.

According to the indictment, Mirza obtained identifying information of individuals, providers and insurers without their knowledge and used it to support fraudulent claims submitted on behalf of shell companies. Iqbal was allegedly linked to several durable medical equipment providers that filed false claims and is accused of laundering proceeds and coordinating transfers of funds to Pakistan.

Mirza faces 12 counts of health care fraud and five counts of money laundering. Iqbal is charged with 12 counts of health care fraud, six counts of money laundering and one count of making a false statement to US law enforcement. Arraignments have not yet been scheduled.

Three additional defendants, including an Indian, previously charged in the investigation, have pleaded guilty to federal health care fraud charges and are awaiting sentencing.

An indictment contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.