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Hajj 2024
Hajj 2024
HeadlinesPakistanUseful Information

Hajj 2024: Government scheduled to conduct a lottery for the standard program on December 28th.

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Approximately 179,000 Pakistani pilgrims are anticipated to embark on the Hajj 2024 journey to Saudi Arabia in 2024. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony made an announcement on Friday, stating that the draw for the standard Hajj scheme is scheduled to take place on December 28 (Thursday).

According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Muhammad Umar Butt, over 66,000 applications have been received for the regular Hajj scheme up to this point. This statement coincides with the conclusion of the extended deadline for submitting applications for the regular scheme, which expires today (Friday).

Moreover, the ministry’s spokesperson announced an extension of the application deadline for the sponsorship scheme until December 31, responding to the requests from overseas Pakistanis. The government, aiming to boost foreign exchange reserves amid a decline, has designated 25,000 seats in the sponsorship scheme. Participants paying their fees in dollars from abroad will be automatically considered “winners” without the need for a ballot.

The decision to extend the scheme by nine days follows concerns expressed by the ministry, as only 2,800 Haj applications were received for the sponsorship scheme, as reported earlier by Geo News. The ministry took proactive measures, including reaching out to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and planning to involve the Ministry of Information, in addition to prior efforts with the interior and foreign ministries.

Furthermore, the ministry’s statement highlighted that the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia instructed airlines to submit their Haj flight schedule by January 2, 2024.

The government also unveiled a mobile application dedicated to digitizing Haj 2024. Developed by the National Information Technology Board (NITB), the application will compile information from the application form, covering personal details, group information, Mehram details, helper information, additional facilities, Haj dues, nominee details, and the applicant’s bank account information, as disclosed by the caretaker Minister for IT, Dr. Umar Saif.

Pilgrims can access their Haj group information, including details of group members, through the application, the minister added. Notably, half of the 179,000 Haj seats secured by Pakistan are reserved for private Haj operators.

Meanwhile, an estimated 89,605 Pakistanis are anticipated to perform Haj under the government scheme, with a cost of approximately Rs1,075,000—Rs100,000 less than the previous year. The government has also introduced both long and short-term packages spanning 38 to 42 days and 20 to 25 days, respectively.

In a historic move, women will have the opportunity to undertake the sacred journey without the traditional requirement of a male companion.

Read more about “Pakistan made the Hajj operations easier for pilgrims by implementing digitalization.”