The federal government has introduced its first-ever four-year Hajj Policy, covering 2027 to 2030, allowing pilgrims to choose their preferred year of pilgrimage under a new digital registration and waiting list system. The policy was announced in Islamabad on Wednesday by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf.
Under the new system, pilgrims can secure their preferred Hajj year by depositing an estimated 10 per cent of the total Hajj expenses in advance. Selection will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis through a transparent digital waiting list.
To improve service quality and reduce costs, the government plans to sign three- to four-year contracts covering accommodation, transport, catering, air travel and cargo services. All stages of the Hajj process, from registration to grievance redressal and post-Hajj review, will be conducted through a fully digital system.
The quota distribution between the government and private Hajj schemes will remain unchanged at 60 percent and 40 percent respectively through 2030, unless revised by the federal cabinet. The government will gradually shift toward a regulatory, monitoring and quality-assurance role, reducing its direct involvement in operations and expanding the role of the private sector.
The Government Hajj Scheme will offer multiple packages of varying durations to accommodate different pilgrim needs. All procurement and contract awards, both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, will strictly follow government procurement rules. Any unused funds from Hajj dues collected after the completion of operations will be refunded to pilgrims.
An independent third party will be engaged to impartially review both public and private Hajj arrangements. Private Hajj companies will be registered and monitored based on performance and service compliance rather than quota allocations alone.
All private operators will be required to use the Private Hajj Management Portal for bookings, payments, monitoring and auditing. All Hajj-related payments must be routed through government-designated banking channels to ensure financial transparency and security.
A new digital complaint management system, along with monitoring mechanisms and a formal appeals process, will be introduced to address grievances promptly. A Cabinet Committee will establish merit-based criteria for the selection of qualified Hajj assistants, while pilgrim training will be expanded to cover Hajj rituals, mobile applications, health, emergency management and Saudi laws.
The Hajj Protector Scheme will continue to provide financial assistance in cases of death, accidents or emergency evacuations during the pilgrimage. A dedicated emergency management system and response team will also be established under the new policy.
