The Pakistani government is considering seeking applications for next year’s Hajj before the regular schedule, according to reports on Saturday.
In a social media post, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony revealed that the government was considering encouraging early applications for next year’s Hajj journey as well as payment in installments.
On Saturday, officials from the ministry informed interim religious affairs minister Aneeq Ahmed of this year’s Hajj arrangements.
The ministry also stated on social media that the authorities are attempting to implement a long-term Hajj policy.
It is worth noting that Pakistan just finished the Hajj operation under the command of former religious affairs minister Talha Mehmood.
For this year’s Hajj, a 50% quota had been set aside for the Sponsorship Scheme, which was a particular facility provided to Hajj pilgrims seeking foreign cash from abroad in the religious affairs ministry’s dedicated dollar account.
The government set Hajj fees at Rs1.175 million per pilgrim, 68% more than the previous year’s charges, which appeared to be a reason for many Muslims to forgo performing the pilgrimage in the face of increasing inflation.
It is worth noting that this was the first time Saudi Arabia accepted a large number of pilgrims, approximately 2.3 million after the pandemic restrictions were relaxed. Only those between the ages of 18 and 65 who were fully vaccinated or immunised against the virus and did not suffer from chronic conditions were permitted to visit the country during the 2022 Hajj season.
Earlier in July, then-Minister for Religious Affairs Talha Mehmood said that all intending pilgrims who will perform Hajj in 2024 will have to pay their fees in US dollars rather than Pakistani rupees, yet little progress has been achieved by the religious affairs ministry in this regard.
