The federal government has decided to present the Haj Policy 2025 in a cabinet meeting, reversing an earlier decision to pass it through circulation. Official sources indicate that while the majority of cabinet members had already signed the summary, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for further discussion after Federal Minister for Establishment and Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema raised an objection.
Cheema argued that the Haj policy has traditionally been approved during cabinet meetings, allowing for thorough discussions on certain policy aspects. The prime minister agreed, instructing that the policy be reviewed in the next cabinet meeting.
For Haj 2025, the Saudi government has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims, split evenly between government and private Haj schemes, with each scheme receiving 89,605 slots. Within the government scheme, 5,000 seats will be reserved under a sponsorship scheme, which requires applicants to pay in foreign currency remitted from abroad. These applicants will be exempt from the ballot system and accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Under the private Haj scheme, 25,000 seats will also be designated for sponsored applicants. Additionally, the government scheme will offer both a traditional package (38-42 days) and a shorter package (20-25 days).
Due to low demand, Pakistan surrendered a quota of 19,500 pilgrims last year. For 2025, boarding, lodging, and shared accommodation in compliance with Saudi regulations will be provided. Selection for the government scheme will be conducted through computerized balloting, with a hardship quota of 1,000 seats for special cases like split families, elderly or disabled pilgrims, and urgent needs.
The government scheme will also reserve 300 seats for low-wage public sector workers, laborers, and employees of organizations registered with the EOBI and Workers Welfare Fund.
The tentative Haj package for 2025 ranges between Rs1,075,000 and Rs1,175,000, subject to finalized contracts for airfare, accommodation, and transportation. Only Pakistani citizens with a valid passport until December 16, 2025, are eligible, and children under 12 are not permitted as per Saudi government regulations.
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