Government Hajj Package Could Rise by Rs 100,000, Cabinet Approval Expected This Week
Sources say the proposed Hajj Policy 2027 would price government packages between Rs 1.2 million and Rs 1.3 million, bring government and private quotas closer to parity, and possibly restore private scheme allocations from 2024
Pakistan’s government-run Hajj package could cost around Rs 100,000 more than last year, which aims to ensure quality services and safety for pilgrims, according to sources familiar with discussions ahead of this week’s federal cabinet meeting, where the Hajj Policy 2027 is expected to be presented for approval.
Under the proposal, a 40-to-42-day Hajj package would be priced at Rs 1.2 million, while a shorter 22-to-25-day package would cost Rs 1.3 million, sources said. The cabinet was briefed last week on a four-year plan covering Hajj 2027 through 2030.
Sources said Director General Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro has submitted projected cost details for the government scheme to the ministry, along with Saudi directives and a timeline for the season.
The new policy proposes splitting Hajj 2027 allocations 60-40 between the government and private schemes, which could influence the overall costs and application procedures for pilgrims, depending on final decisions. Clarifying this helps applicants understand potential cost-sharing and procedural changes.
Sources said no final decision will be made until the cabinet issues a written ruling, reflecting the government’s commitment to a thorough review process. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has proposed giving the private scheme a 40 percent share. Once registration closes, the ministry is expected to announce a schedule for accepting Hajj applications.
Talks with airlines on Hajj fares are expected this week, once Saudi Arabia provides its cost estimate. The final government package price will depend on the airfare that emerges from those talks, which could lead to an increase in overall costs for pilgrims. This information helps stakeholders prepare financially for upcoming expenses.
For the government scheme, Pakistan’s Hajj Mission reportedly does not plan to rent the same tents at the Mashaer sites Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat that it used last year, largely because those payments depend on funds received from pilgrims first. Sources said there is a proposal to collect government Hajj payments in two installments.
Separately, sources said there is a proposal to restore the private scheme’s 2024 quota, and that cluster allocations from 2024 and 2025 could also be reinstated. A plan has reportedly been drawn up to move all Hajj arrangements from 2028 through 2030 onto the cluster system.
Also read: Pakistan’s Online Hajj Registration for 2027–2030 Passes 308,000 Applicants
Under that system, some of the roughly 904 private-sector Hajj organizers could secure their position by becoming cluster directors, sources said, adding that there have also been reports of equalizing quotas among those 904 organizers, a claim the ministry has denied.
Sources said Pakistan’s private quota could grow further if Saudi Arabia responds positively to a request to raise the country’s overall Hajj quota in line with its population. A section within the ministry is also said to favor extending quotas to new Hajj organizing companies.
None of the proposals outlined above has been finalized, and the final figures will depend on the federal cabinet’s written decision, which is expected after the upcoming meeting on [specific date or week]. This clarification helps stakeholders understand when to expect official confirmation and plan accordingly.
