ISLAMABAD: Good news for Hajj aspirants—16,000 seats remain open under the Private Hajj Scheme. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will continue bookings until October 17. Only four days are left before the portal officially closes. So far, private operators have secured bookings for 44,000 pilgrims out of their 60,000 quota. The Ministry has urged operators to speed up the process and finalize applications without delays.
Private Hajj Operators began booking on September 19. The 60,000 quota was reduced from the earlier limit of 90,000. Out of this, 22,097 pilgrims who couldn’t go last year are being prioritized. Operators are required to submit affidavits confirming their registration. Only after accommodating these pilgrims can new applicants be accepted. A total of 37,903 new pilgrims are eligible to apply this year under the private scheme.
Meanwhile, the government Hajj scheme application process for 2026 has officially ended. The Ministry received 118,060 applications nationwide in just 17 days. This quick response was due to the first-come, first-served model via banks and online portals. Applicants chose between long and short Hajj options based on preference. The Ministry has now closed further submissions for this phase.
According to officials, applicants have already paid the first instalment, covering 50 percent of the Hajj cost. The second instalment will be collected starting November 1, 2025. Total expenses for the government Hajj scheme are estimated between PKR 1.15 million and PKR 1.25 million. Costs depend on location and the duration of the pilgrimage. The Ministry plans to notify all selected pilgrims about the next steps soon.
This year’s arrangements aim to ensure no eligible pilgrim is left behind. The Ministry has focused on transparency, fairness, and better service delivery. With thousands of seats still open in the private scheme, citizens are encouraged to apply before the October 17 deadline. Both public and private sectors are working together to facilitate a smooth Hajj journey in 2026.
