- Dividing Hajj shares between government and private projects.
- The cost of Hajj in the government scheme can be up to Rs 1,075,000.
- The Ministry of Religious Affairs officially announces.
ISLAMABAD: Chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the federal cabinet on Tuesday gave the green light to the Hajj Policy 2025, paving the way for 179,210 Pakistani citizens to perform Hajj next year.
According to the policy, the Hajj quota will be divided equally between government and private programs and those under the age of 12 will not be allowed to travel for Hajj, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The sources said Geographic News The cost of the government scheme will range between Rs 1,065,000 to Rs 1,075,000 per pilgrim.
They added that the schedule of Hajj applications will be revealed after the approval of the Council of Ministers, and applications will be summoned from banks by November 25.
The Cabinet will send the approved draft of the Hajj Policy 2025 to the Ministry of Religious Affairs for its official announcement.
The meeting was informed that selection under the government scheme would be done through computerized balloting.
Under the new policy, 1,000 seats will be reserved for difficult cases and 300 for low-income workers and employees registered under the Employees Old Age Benefit Institution (EOBI) or Workers Welfare Fund.
The route to Makkah facility will be available at Islamabad and Karachi International Airports.
The Hajj group organizers will sign a service provision agreement with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which will be strictly monitored.
It was said that a new bag was presented to the nazim (manager) to facilitate the pilgrims. One organizer will be appointed for each group of 100 pilgrims, chosen from among social welfare employees.
Under this policy, compensation for the heirs of the deceased has been increased from Rs 1 million to Rs 2 million, while the affected people will be given Rs 1 million.
The Cabinet members were informed that a special Hajj management application has been developed to facilitate pilgrims and necessary arrangements have been made to train them.
He called on the Federal Cabinet to give preference to intended pilgrims who were unable to make it during last year’s polls. The meeting also stressed the need to take all facilitative measures for pilgrims.