Saudi Arabia has granted permission for an additional 10,000 pilgrims to perform Hajj this year, allowing those who missed the registration deadline to now join the sacred journey, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel on Friday.
According to the report, the expansion in the Hajj quota came following a special request by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Ishaq Dar to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
This move has brought immense relief to aspiring pilgrims who were unable to register before the cutoff date.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf announced that Hajj flights from Pakistan will commence on May 28, with a total of 90,000 pilgrims expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme this year.
Sardar Yousaf confirmed that the training sessions for the pilgrims are designed to educate pilgrims on Hajj rituals and ensure they are fully prepared for the spiritual journey.
Special arrangements are being made for elderly pilgrims, with training sessions being conducted at venues such as the Punjab University auditorium.
Vaccination drives and other health protocols are already underway to safeguard the health of all pilgrims.
Regarding costs, Sardar Yousaf disclosed that the Hajj fee has increased globally, with Pakistani pilgrims now expected to pay Rs 1.05 million for the regular package and Rs 1.15 million for short-term packages of 21–22 days. However, he assured that any unutilised funds would be refunded to maintain transparency.
The Saudi government, he added, will provide top-tier services for accommodation, medical care, and transport to ensure a comfortable experience for all pilgrims.
Reporter: Awais Kiyani