15 Pakistani banks start receiving Hajj applications

As many as 15 Pakistani banks started receiving Hajj applications on Monday. 

According to Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Ministry, Hajj applications will be accepted till Dec 3. 

The religious affairs minister announced last week Pakistan’s Hajj 2025 policy, according to which pilgrims can pay fees for the annual Islamic pilgrimage in installments for the first time. 

The first installment of Hajj dues, amounting to Rs200,000, must be deposited along with the Hajj application under the government scheme, while the second installment of Rs400,000 must be deposited within ten days of the balloting. The remaining amount must be deposited by February 10 next year.

“Fifteen designated banks in the country have started receiving Hajj applications from today, Nov. 18, and the process will continue till Dec.3,” said Muhammad Umer Butt, a spokesperson for the religion ministry.

Next year’s Hajj under the government scheme is expected to range between Rs1,075,000 to Rs1,175,000, while an additional cost for the sacrifice will be Rs55,000. 

“This year, the government’s Hajj scheme has been allocated a quota of 89,605 seats, with 5,000 reserved for the sponsorship scheme for overseas Pakistanis while the remaining seats will be allocated to the private Hajj scheme,” Butt confirmed.