ISLAMABAD: Private Hajj organizations and the Ministry of Religious Affairs have agreed to start booking private Hajj groups from January 10, 2025.
According to details, an important meeting was held regarding private Hajj organizations under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, in which Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, Secretary Religious Affairs, and Chairman HOPE, Nasir Khan, participated.
The meeting discussed in detail the issues of private Hajj and finalized them by consensus.
It was decided that the booking of private Hajj groups will start from January 10. Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi said that it is mandatory to follow the laws of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
The government had extended the period for submitting Hajj forms for the third time to complete the quota, but this measure also did not prove effective. By the end of the third period of Hajj applications, 82,000 applications were received.
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The Ministry of Religious Affairs declared all the applicants successful and started consultations to fill the 7,000 vacant quota. According to media sources, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is considering resuming Hajj applications or granting quotas to private Hajj operators.
On the other hand, 5,000 more pilgrims will be given the opportunity to perform Hajj under the government Hajj scheme.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the receipt of new Hajj applications is likely to start next week. Earlier, 81,500 applications were received for the government Hajj scheme.
Applications for the remaining 5,000 slots of the government Hajj scheme will be accepted without a new ballot. According to sources, Hajj tickets will be allotted on a “first-come, first-served” basis.
A five-day period is being considered for the receipt of new Hajj applications to ensure the process is faster and more transparent.
