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Updated March 2023
Hajj is the most anticipated event for Muslims worldwide. Following a successful reopening for international pilgrims in the previous season, Saudi Arabia is now preparing to welcome pilgrims from all over the world to perform the Hajj 2023, including those from Pakistan.
Below, we have gathered the Hajj guideline for all Pakistani nationals wishing to perform the pilgrimage this year. Read further to find out.
Hajj 2023 from Pakistan news – latest updates
The Pakistani government has announced the Hajj policy for all Pakistani pilgrims this year. This policy includes the Hajj applications, Hajj cost, Hajj quota and Hajj eligibility.
Hajj applications
According to a statement from the Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, pilgrims can submit Hajj applications from 16 March to 31 March 2023. The applications can be submitted to 14 designated banks by the government.
The names of the selected pilgrims for this year’s Hajj will be announced in the first week of April. If an applicant’s name is not included in the list, they may be eligible for a refund from the banks within a week of the announcement being made.
However, the authority will make a waiting list for Hajj pilgrims where only 0.5 per cent of the official Hajj quota will be reserved. Applicants are required to possess National Identity Cards and Pakistani Machine-Readable Passports valid until 26 December 2023.
Hajj costs
The Hajj costs from Pakistan have been revealed by the Ministry. To perform the Hajj pilgrimage, applicants from the northern part of Pakistan would have to pay PKR 1,175,000, while applicants from the southern part of Pakistan would be charged a fee of PKR 1,165,000.
Those who apply for the pilgrimage under the Sponsorship scheme must pay either USD 4,325 for pilgrims from northern Pakistan or USD 4,285 for pilgrims from southern Pakistan.
Hajj quota
Fifty per cent of the total Hajj quota from Pakistan this year will be reserved for the Sponsorship scheme. Moreover, the government has allocated three per cent of the total quota under the government Hajj scheme for hardship cases like newborns or broken families.
Hajj eligibility
The ministry emphasized that those who have performed the Hajj pilgrimage in the last five years will not be eligible to apply for a regular Hajj this year. However, the Mahram of women who perform Hajj for the first time will be exempt from this rule.
Please note that under the new policy, female pilgrims must be accompanied by a Mahram. Only women over 45 years old are not required to go with their Mahram.
Hajj Pakistan 2023 quota for pilgrims paying in USD
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in Pakistan has introduced a Sponsorship Scheme for the roughly 22,400 pilgrims depositing their dues in US dollars, wherein they will be allocated a 50% special quota in the government Hajj scheme and will also be exempted from balloting.
For the Hajj Sponsorship scheme 2023, the ministry would charge USD 4,325 to pilgrims from northern Pakistan and USD 4,285 to pilgrims from southern Pakistan.
USD payments will be accepted through foreign remittances as well.
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Hajj 2023 from Pakistan dates
This year, Hajj for Pakistani pilgrims will be commenced on Monday, 26 June – Saturday, 1 July 2023, corresponding to the 10th of Dhulhijjah 1444 AH.
Hajj 2023 from Pakistan requirements and rules
As of now, there are a few requirements and rules that have been announced regarding Hajj 2023 in Pakistan:
Age limit & testing requirements
Hajj will be available this year for all people above the age of 12 provided that they obtain the basic doses of vaccines approved in the Kingdom and they must present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival to the Kingdom.
Vaccination requirements
Pilgrims seeking to perform the Hajj must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with the complete doses of the following vaccines to be able to enter the Kingdom:
- Pfizer/BioNTech. 2 doses
- Oxford/AstraZeneca: 2 doses
- Janssen. 2 doses
- Moderna. 2 doses
- Sinopharm. 2 doses
- Sinovac. 2 doses
- Covaxin. 2 doses
- Sputnik V. 2 doses
- Nuvaxovid. 2 doses
- Covovax. 2 doses
Source: Approved Vaccines (moh.gov.sa)
Quarantine requirements
No quarantine will be necessary for foreign pilgrims fully vaccinated with vaccines approved in Saudi Arabia. However, travellers arriving on visit visas (including pilgrims) must have medical insurance to cover any COVID-19-related treatment costs during their stay.
Permit
Worshippers are no longer required to obtain an appointment to pray at the Grand Mosque in Makkah as well as the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. However, they will still need to obtain a Hajj permit through the online app Absher.
Health protocols
Saudi Arabia has lifted many COVID-19 restrictions in the country. Currently, wearing a mask in closed public spaces is not mandatory; however, it is still required for entry to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, and places for which safety protocols have been issued by Weqaya. Face masks may also be required by some public events, public transportation and health facilities that wish to uphold their safety measures.
Proof of vaccination via the Tawakkalna app is no longer required to enter most establishments. Social distancing in mosques and other areas no longer applies.
Applicants eligibility
Pakistani government limits Hajj 2023 applications to those who have not performed the pilgrimage in the last five years. However, the Mahram of women who perform Hajj for the first time is exempt from this rule.
Please note that under the new policy, female pilgrims must be accompanied by a Mahram. Only women over 45 years old are not required to go with her Mahram.
How to apply for Hajj 2023 from Pakistan
Government Hajj scheme application date
Pilgrims can submit their applications for this year’s Hajj from 16 March to 31 March 2023. Make sure to stay updated with the application date by checking with the prescribed bank below:
- National Bank Limited (NBP)
- Allied Bank Limited (ABL)
- Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB)
- United Bank Limited (UBL)
- Habib Bank Limited (HBL)
- Bank Alfalah
- Bank of Punjab (BOP)
- Meezan Bank
Filling out the Hajj application form
- you can get your Hajj application form from the prescribed bank above
- fill out the form according to the instructions given
- attach your computerized readable passport and a copy of your computerized CNIC with the form
- submit the form to the same bank where you get the form
Hajj 2023 Lucky Draw
Once you have done with the application form submission, the officials will check all of your details and documents before approving your form.
After the approval process, your application form will be put into the lucky draw. If you are lucky, you can perform Hajj this year under the government’s scheme. If you are not, you can apply for Hajj next year on the government’s quota and receive a refund from the banks in approximately 7 days. Although, you will also have another option to apply through private travel agencies in Pakistan.
Pilgrims whose names are listed in the lucky draw for Hajj have to deposit their medical certificates and passports through banks. They can also contact their hired tour and travel agents for further information.
It is important to note that Saudi Arabia has allocated a total of almost 180,000 slots for Pakistani pilgrims for this Hajj season.
Hajj Lucky Draw 2023 announcement
This year, the names of the selected pilgrims will be revealed in the first week of April. To find out if your name is among the lucky ones in the ballot result, you can find out on Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony’s website here. All you need to do is to fill out your CNIC number or your Hajj application number and click ‘Ok’.
Hajj 2023 packages for Pakistan pilgrims
Booking Hajj packages with private travel agents
You can also book your Hajj packages through authorized private travel agents in Pakistan. You can see the list of the approved travel agents of Pakistan on the Ministry of Hajj’s official website as well as here.
There are a few types of packages that you can choose for your hajj, from the economy package to the 5-star package. The package usually includes airfares, breakfast, transport, and the ziarat.
Here’s a list of travel agents approved by the KSA Government in the major cities of Pakistan:
Islamabad
G.F.Q International
Phone Number: 0092512344334
E-mail: [email protected]
Travel Lines and Tour (PVT) LTD.
Phone Number: 0092512270929
E-mail: [email protected]
Al Nasr Travel (PVT) LTD.
Phone Number: 00924236367651
E-mail: [email protected]
Al-Harmain Travel & Tourism Agency
Phone Number: 0092512875363
E-mail: [email protected]
Abeer Travel & Tours
Phone Number: 0092554211979
E-mail: [email protected]
Karwan E-Shakireen Tours (PVT) LTD.
Phone Number: 0092622888774
E-mail: [email protected]
Karachi
Usman Air Travels (Private) LTD
Phone Number: 00922135650500
E-mail: [email protected]
Shahban International Travel
Phone Number: 00922135161010
E-mail: [email protected]
Al-Naeem Travels & Tours
Phone Number: 0092215680818
E-mail: [email protected]
Al-Asad Travel Agency
Phone Number: 00922135314440
E-mail: [email protected]
Hujjaj Travel & Tours PVT LTD.
Phone Number: 00923219295017
E-mail: [email protected]
Al-Huda Travel & Tours
Phone Number: 00922132211175
E-mail: [email protected]
Lahore
Amin Travels PVT LTD Lahore
Phone Number: 35786850
E-mail: [email protected]
Nafees Travels PVT LTD
Phone Number: 009236302435
E-mail: [email protected]
Al-Saboor Travels PVT LTD
Phone Number: 00924235774607
E-mail: [email protected]
Sufa International Travel & Tours PVT LTD.
Phone Number: 00924235761770
E-mail:[email protected]
Rahimia International Travel Tours
Phone Number: 00923216915548
E-mail: [email protected]
Al-Huda Aviation
Phone Number: 00924236292630
E-mail: [email protected]
Pakistan Hajj cost 2023
For this year’s Hajj season, the announced price differed based on the region where the pilgrim seekers resided. The price for the government’s Hajj scheme is PKR 1,175,000 for the northern regions and PKR 1,165,000 for the southern region.
Meanwhile, if you wish to book your Hajj packages with private travel agents, the price could be higher than the government scheme.
