Pakistan Increases Government Quota in New Hajj Policy for 2026

ISLAMABAD — The federal cabinet has approved Pakistan’s new Hajj policy for 2026. This decision increases the government’s share in the Hajj quota and reduces the role of private tour operators. The move aims to improve management and reduce issues faced by pilgrims.

Under the new plan, 70% of the Hajj quota will go to the government sector. The private sector will receive the remaining 30%. This change reverses the previous equal split. Officials said 1,000 seats will also be reserved for hardship cases. Private companies must now serve at least 2,000 pilgrims to take part in Hajj operations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the full digitalization of next year’s Hajj process. He instructed the IT Ministry to work with the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Together, they will ensure that the entire process becomes digital and transparent for all applicants.

The prime minister stressed the importance of giving the best services to all pilgrims. He urged the authorities to carry out the policy smoothly and to resolve issues quickly. He added that all departments must work together to avoid the problems seen in the past.

The expected cost of government Hajj in 2026 will range from Rs1.15 million to Rs1.25 million. Even with this cost, officials said the experience will be improved through better planning. More government control is expected to offer smoother operations and stronger oversight.

So far, over 313,000 people have registered for Hajj 2026. This comes after a major issue in 2025, when about 67,000 private pilgrims could not travel due to poor arrangements. The new policy aims to restore public trust and avoid similar problems in the future.