ISLAMABAD – The federal government on Wednesday unveiled Pakistan’s first-ever four-year Hajj policy, introducing a long-term framework aimed at improving transparency, efficiency and the overall management of Hajj operations from 2027 to 2030.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced the policy during a press briefing, describing it as the beginning of lasting structural reforms in Hajj management.
He said the policy had been formulated under the special guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and focuses on greater use of technology, transparency and international best practices to improve services for Pakistani pilgrims.
Under the new policy, a registration and waiting-list system will be introduced for the first time to streamline the application process. The government will retain the existing Hajj quota distribution, with 60 percent allocated to the government scheme and 40 percent to private Hajj operators.
The minister said applicants will be able to secure a place in the Hajj queue by making an initial payment of 10 percent of the estimated cost. Any surplus funds remaining after the settlement of Hajj-related expenses will be refunded to pilgrims.
He added that procurement for Hajj arrangements in both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would be carried out through transparent procedures, while the Ministry of Religious Affairs would continue to oversee regulation and monitoring of both government and private Hajj schemes.
Sardar Yousaf said the registration and monitoring of private Hajj companies would be based on their performance rather than quota allocation alone. A digital complaint redressal and appeals system will also be introduced to ensure the timely resolution of pilgrims’ grievances, while Hajj training programmes will be further strengthened.
The minister said the existing Hujjaj Protection Scheme would remain in place and noted that the new policy had been designed in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms.
He estimated that the Hajj package under the new policy would cost between Rs1.2 million and Rs1.3 million, adding that any future increase or decrease in Pakistan’s Hajj quota would require approval from the federal cabinet.
He said the policy aims not only to improve administrative arrangements but also to ensure a dignified and comfortable pilgrimage experience for Pakistani pilgrims.
