ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) said on Friday that it has set Nov. 20 as the final date for prospective pilgrims to select and pay for a Hajj package under the private scheme for 2027, saying it has the authority to reallocate the quota if it is not taken up by then.

The deadline is the first for private operators under Pakistan’s new four-year Hajj policy, approved by the federal cabinet in July, which covers the 2027 to 2030 seasons and replaces the practice of issuing a framework annually. Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan 179,210 places for Hajj 2027, of which 107,526 are reserved for the government scheme and 71,684 for private operators.

“Private pilgrims should select and pay for their Hajj package only through the Hajj portal or the Pak Hajj app,” a ministry spokesperson said in a statement issued by MoRA. The spokesperson added that the ministry “will not be responsible for any loss” if money is paid directly to an individual or a company.

Sixteen basic packages have been finalized under the private scheme, priced between Rs 1.4 million [$5,050] and Rs 3.75 million [$13,525]. The ministry said that most Hajj companies have uploaded their packages to the digital portal on the ministry’s instructions, and bookings through the Hajj portal and the Pak Hajj app have picked up.

The private scheme offers shorter stays, direct flights from outside Pakistan and five-star hotel options.

The ministry has tightened oversight of the private scheme since 2025, when Pakistan’s private share fell from 89,801 places to just over 25,000. This happened after operators missed Saudi payment and service agreement deadlines, leaving more than 67,000 intending pilgrims unable to travel.

More than 13,000 pilgrims have so far deposited Rs 8.7 billion [$31 million] for Hajj 2027 under the government scheme, according to the religious affairs ministry, which opened for applications last month.