Minister urges intending Hajj pilgrims to deposit second installment by Nov 15

ISLAMABAD, Oct 23 (APP): Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf on Thursday urged intending pilgrims to deposit their second installment of Hajj dues between November 3 and 15 in designated banks.
Addressing a press conference, the minister said that the intending pilgrims would deposit the second installment of Rs 6.5 million and receive a confirmation message through the mobile application ‘Pak Hajj’ after payment.
Highlighting the arrangements for Hajj 2026, the minister said the Ministry of Religious Affairs, in collaboration with the Saudi government, had successfully controlled the Hajj expenses while ensuring quality facilities for pilgrims.
He added that the submission process for Hajj applications, including an additional quota of 30,000, had been completed successfully.
“The cost of the 40-day Hajj package has been fixed at Rs 1.15 million, while the 25-day short Hajj package will cost Rs 1.2 million,” Sardar Yousuf stated.
Sharing details about the facilities, the minister said that pilgrims would be provided with a large trolley bag, a hand-carry bag, and scarves for women, similar to previous years.
He added that each pilgrim would also receive a Saudi mobile SIM card with internet access and 300 to 600 free minutes to facilitate communication with their families. The minister further said that pilgrims would have access to folding mattresses, air-conditioned camps, and chip-sam walls as provided in the previous year.
Referring to the Hajj Nazim Scheme, introduced last year to guide pilgrims, Yousuf said that it would be made more effective this year, with one Hajj Nazim appointed for every 150 pilgrims.
The minister said the process of returning Rs 3.5 billion to pilgrims had begun, following differences in accommodation costs in the Mina and Mecca zones.
He detailed that 25 percent (21,895) of last year’s pilgrims would not receive any refund, while 14 percent (12,286) would get Rs 12,000 each. Similarly, 16 percent (13,939) would receive Rs 25,000; 10 percent (8,496) Rs 48,000; 23 percent (20,302) Rs 75,000; 12 percent (10,945) Rs 90,000; and 408 pilgrims would receive Rs 110,000 each through their respective bank accounts.
“The payment of the amount will be completed by October 31,” the minister added.
He said the present government is committed to the vision of providing the best possible facilities to Hajj pilgrims.
Sardar Muhammad Yosuf extended special gratitude to the Saudi government, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Rabiah, Deputy Minister Hassan Manakhra, and the Saudi Ambassador, Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki for their cooperation to ensure best facilities to pilgrims.