Haj 2025: Pakistan’s quota equally divided between govt, private schemes

ISLAMABAD: For the Haj 2025, Pakistan’s total quota of 179,210 would be bifurcated equally between the government and private schemes.

The federal cabinet approved the Haj Policy 2025 on Tuesday, according to which there would be two schemes: ‘Government Haj Scheme’ for those who intend to perform Haj under the government arrangements and ‘Private Haj Scheme’ for those who want to make their Haj arrangements through Haj Group Organisers (HGOs), in accordance with Service Provider Agreement (SPA) between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (MoRA&IH) and HGOs, and individual agreement between a Haji and an HGO.

In the Government Haj Scheme, at least 5,000 seats would be reserved for Sponsorship Scheme, under which applicants would be required to deposit their Haj dues in foreign exchange remitted from abroad through banking channel.

The intending pilgrims of the Government Sponsorship quota would be exempted from balloting and would be utilised on first-come first-served basis. Quota of 25,000 of private Haj scheme would be reserved for the Sponsorship Scheme.

The foreign exchange secured through the Sponsorship Scheme would only be utilised for payment of the Haj related dues to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

As per mandatory conditions, an applicant would be Pakistani citizens having valid Pakistani passport up to December 16, 2025. Children/ minor under the age of 12 years are not permitted to participate in Haj 2025 as per the directions, issues by the Saudi government.

Mandatory health conditions for Hujjaj as per the Saudi Taleemat, elaborated in Haj Policy Guidelines, would be adhered to.

No ‘Mehram’ would be required for women for Haj 2025, as per the decision of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) 2023, subject to the submission of an affidavit to the effect: i) their parents or husbands allow them, ii) they are in the group of reliable females and, iii) there is no threat to their dignity. Special citizens/disabled applicants were required to be accompanied by an attendant to proceed for Haj. Such applicants, who are barred from travelling abroad by any court/placed on the ECL, are not entitled to proceed for Haj.

In the event of a pilgrim’s demise during his/her stay in Saudi Arabia, whether natural or accidental, he or she would be buried in Saudi Arabia as per Saudi Instructions.

All the Hujjaj would strictly abide by the laws and regulations of the host country during their stay in the KSA. Any activity on the part of a pilgrim contrary to laws/ regulations of Saudi Arabia like begging, political and immoral practices, drug-trafficking, theft, etc. would disqualify the offender for future visit of any kind to the KSA by the Government of Pakistan, in addition to any other legal action taken by Saudi authorities. Moreover, as per the Saudi laws, ‘drug-trafficking’ is banned, and in case of violation, perpetrators could be imprisoned, lashed or even publicly executed/ beheaded.

For the Government Haj Scheme, there would be the traditional long package of 38-42 days and a short package of 20-25. Under the regular Government Haj Scheme shared accommodation in accordance with Saudi Laws and Housing Permits (Tasreeh and Tasneef) would be provided along with boarding and lodging services.

All applicants intending to perform Haj under Government Haj Scheme would be called to submit their applications along with Haj dues. Selection of Hujjaj would be made through computerised balloting. A hardship quota of 1,000 seats would be reserved to accommodate split/broken family, Mehram for successful ladies, attendants for disabled/ special persons and any other hardship need. The applicants for hardship quota would be selected as per the guidelines issued by the ministry.

A quota of 300 seats would be reserved for low paid employees (BPS 1-9 or equivalent)/ labourers of public sector/corporate organisations, companies registered with the EOBI/ Workers Welfare Fund. Substitution cases would be entertained in respect of those successful applicants who could not proceed for Haj either due to death, serious illness or any other unavoidable reason, as per the guidelines issued by the ministry. The ministry would notify procurement committees both in Pakistan and the KSA to ensure competitive and timely purchases in the most befitting manner.

The tentative Haj package of Government Haj Scheme for Haj 2025 would be between Rs1,075,000, and Rs1,175,000 subject to finalisation of contracts with the service providers.

The Government of Pakistan’s policy of engaging private sector covers various areas, including management, logistics and welfare services to Hujjaj. The policy aims to supplement the efforts of the government by involving private sector. As a matter of policy, MORA&IH has proactively encouraged the private sector for Haj management since 2005. As usual, the MORA&IH shall sign a Service Provider Agreement with each HGO to ensure provision of better services to the entire satisfaction of Hujjaj performing Haj through private sector, under strict monitoring regime.

The allocation of Haj quota to the private sector would be made in a transparent manner in accordance with Supreme Court judgments. The minimum quota for each Munazzam/ HGO would be as per the Saudi directions. Munazzam/HGOs would be allowed to take part in Haj Operation subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the ministry. However, any HGO blacklisted by the Saudi government would not be entitled for Operation in Haj 2025. Furthermore, any HGO blacklisted/ barred by the ministry on account of its adverse performance or due to any other reasons would also not be entitled for operation until its clearance. A quota of 1,225 would be reserved for Pakistan armed forces as the per past practice.