Govt commences Hajj application process under regular scheme

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has started accepting Hajj applications under the government’s regular scheme from August 4 (today).

A spokesperson for the ministry said that applications from registered pilgrims will be received on a first-come, first-served basis at designated bank branches until August 9.

If the quota remains unfilled, the ministry will open applications for non-registered individuals from August 11 to 16.

Once the quota under the government scheme is completed, the portal will be closed for further applications.

Under the Hajj Policy 2026, approved earlier by the federal cabinet, Pakistan’s total Hajj quota has been fixed at 179,210.

Out of this, 119,210 slots, approximately 66.52%, have been allocated to the government scheme, while the private scheme's quota has been reduced by 50% to 60,000 pilgrims (33.48%).

Read: Pakistan govt to prioritize over 60,000 unaccommodated pilgrims for Hajj 2026

The spokesperson said Hajj expenses will range between Rs1,150,000 and Rs1,250,000, depending on the selected package. Applicants opting for a 38 to 42-day package are required to deposit Rs500,000 with their application, while those choosing the shorter 20 to 25-day package must deposit Rs550,000.

The second instalment of payments will be collected from November 1, 2025.

The ministry also announced that the upper age limit for pilgrims has been removed. However, applicants born after March 1, 2014, are not eligible to apply.

Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf reaffirmed the government's commitment to making the Hajj process transparent and efficient, adding that application submissions for the government scheme officially began today.