Govt announces Hajj policy 2023: The federal government has established the Hajj strategy to transport pilgrims to the holy land this year.
Mufti Abdul Shakoor, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony unveiled the official information for this year’s Hajj, which is slated to take place in a few months.
Application Deadline
Applications for the Hajj can be submitted between March 16 and March 31, 2023, according to official information.
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Where to Submit Applications
In addition, the names of the pilgrims chosen to travel to Hajj this year will be released during the first week of April. Applications for Hajj can be submitted at 14 designated banks across the nation. Those who are not chosen will receive their money back from the banks in 7 days.
Also, a waiting list for Hajj pilgrims will be created, on which just 0.5% of the allotted capacity will be set aside. Candidates must have National Identification Cards and machine-readable Pakistani passports valid through December 26, 2023.
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Cost of Hajj
According to the minister, Pakistan’s Hajj costs are lower than those of India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Pilgrims in northern Pakistan will have to pay Rs1.175 million, while those in the southern would pay Rs1.165 million.
Individuals from the northern region, including Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, and Rahim Yar Khan, who take advantage of the sponsorship programme would spend approximately $4,325. In contrast, other pilgrims from the same region would be forced to pay approximately Rs1,175,000.
Hajj and those in the southern region would cost roughly Rs. 1,165,000 ($4,285). The minister emphasised that the rupee depreciation has raised the Hajj expense.
Total Number of Pilgrims
Pakistan has a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for the Hajj in 2023. For the first time since Covid, the Saudi Arabian government has increased the number of pilgrims.
It is important to note that a 50% quota has been set aside for the Sponsorship Scheme, a unique service provided to Hajj pilgrims looking to get foreign currency from overseas through the designated dollar account of the Religious Affairs Ministry.
According to the plan, Pakistanis living abroad would be free from the ordinary voting procedure, but putting money from Pakistan is prohibited. The “first come, first served” policy would apply to the use of this facility.
Also, 3% (2,688) of the total seats under the government’s Hajj programme will be set aside for extreme difficulties, such as new babies or families in disarray.
Age Limit
This year, there is no higher age limit for pilgrims from Pakistan because Saudi Arabia’s government eliminated the 65-year restriction.
Need of Mahram
Women under 45 are required to have a mahram (chaperone) with them when doing the Hajj. However, women above 45 are exempt from this requirement.
Who is Ineligible
However, the Mahram of women performing the Hajj for the first time will be free from this restriction. Pilgrims who have attended the Hajj in the previous five years are not eligible to apply this year under the standard Hajj plan.
The Saudi Arabian government is completing preparations for the Hajj, the largest religious gathering in the country, which will take place in June of this year.