The Ministry of Religious Affairs has reportedly raised the Hajj quota under the sponsorship scheme from 10,000 to 25,000, as per a recent announcement by a local media outlet.
Initially, the federal government had earmarked 10,000 slots for the sponsorship scheme, but this quota has now been expanded to accommodate 25,000 pilgrims.
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In correspondence with the Ministry of Finance, the Religious Affairs Ministry has communicated the need for a total of $280 million in foreign exchange to cover the upcoming Hajj operation and associated expenses in Saudi Arabia. A significant portion, approximately $100 million, is anticipated to be obtained through the sponsorship scheme.
It’s important to note that the sponsorship scheme entails collecting Hajj expenses in dollars, and applicants must possess a valid Pakistani passport. The cost of Hajj under this sponsorship scheme is set at up to $3,800. Additionally, the government has introduced a short Hajj package with a maximum duration of 25 days. It should be highlighted that the short Hajj package will incur an additional cost of Rs. 80,000 compared to the regular Hajj package.
