The Federal Minister for Religious Affairs has made an important announcement regarding the Hajj pilgrimage of 2024. In a press briefing held on November 16th, 2023, Minister Ahmed revealed the dates during which applications for Hajj will be accepted.
The government will begin accepting applications from the 27th of the current month, and the deadline for submitting these applications is set for December 12.
In addition to the application timeline, the minister provided details about the Hajj policy for 2024, which had been approved by the federal government the day before the announcement.
One of the key highlights of this policy is the reduction in cost for pilgrims by Rs. 100,000, a move that aims to make the pilgrimage more affordable without compromising the quality of facilities provided to the pilgrims.
For the year 2024, a total of 179,210 Pakistanis will have the opportunity to perform Hajj. The available slots will be distributed equally between government and private Hajj schemes.
The government is also actively negotiating with airlines to secure discounts on airfares for the pilgrims. Should these negotiations prove successful, the savings will be passed directly to the pilgrims through bank transfers.
Furthermore, Minister Ahmed announced that pilgrims who opt for a shorter stay of four days in Madina, as opposed to the usual eight, will be eligible for a refund amounting to Rs. 35,000. This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to provide flexibility and financial relief to the pilgrims.
In terms of technological support, the government is launching a mobile application designed to assist pilgrims during their journey. Remarkably, this app can be used without an internet connection and offers various services, including the ability to lodge complaints.
Additional benefits for the pilgrims include receiving a free SIM card loaded with data upon arrival, a suitcase featuring a QR code for easy identification, Ihram belts for men, an Abaya for women, and shoe bags. These provisions are intended to enhance the overall experience of the pilgrims during their sacred journey.
