ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Wednesday said pilgrims who do not complete both phases of mandatory Hajj training will be barred from performing the pilgrimage.

Pakistan launched the first phase of mandatory Hajj training last week in Islamabad and other cities. Around 120,000 Hajj pilgrims were trained at 200 locations across the country until Jan. 14. The second phase is scheduled to begin after Ramadan in March.

Addressing the Hajj training workshop at Hajji Camp in Islamabad, Yousaf said it was mandatory for all pilgrims to attend both phases of the training to familiarize themselves with Saudi laws and arrangements.

“Pilgrims who do not complete mandatory Hajj training will be barred from performing Hajj,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony quoted Yousaf as saying.

“Without training, the risk of errors and disorder during Hajj increases,” he continued. “Training instills discipline, patience and awareness of collective worship.”

Yousaf said Hajj training helped prevent accidents and stampedes in crowded areas, highlighting that the proper sequence of Hajj rituals could only be learned through training.

He said trained pilgrims not only stay safe themselves but also help ensure the safety of others. Yousaf urged the participants of the workshop to avoid political and religious gatherings during Hajj. They 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 ($4,050 to $4,236), subject to final agreements with service providers.