Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs announced on Friday that it has received 38,000 Hajj applications in the first 10 days of the submission period, marking an increase of 11,000 applications compared to the same period last year.
The surge in applications comes ahead of Pakistan’s participation in the 2025 Hajj, with the country’s total quota set at 179,210 pilgrims, which will be split evenly between government and private tour operators.
According to the ministry, designated banks will continue to accept applications through the weekend, with the final deadline for submissions being December 3. Pilgrims opting for the regular Hajj scheme can confirm their booking with an initial payment of Rs200,000 (approximately $719).
In recent years, Pakistan has introduced several initiatives to enhance the Hajj experience for pilgrims. A notable development is the Makkah Route Initiative, which facilitates pilgrims by allowing them to complete immigration formalities at departure airports. Initially launched in Islamabad in 2019, this program has since expanded to Karachi, benefiting tens of thousands of travelers.
Additionally, the government has launched the Pak Hajj 2025 mobile app, which provides pilgrims with essential information, including flight details and navigation assistance while in Saudi Arabia.
Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, attracts millions of Muslims annually to Makkah, with Pakistan consistently being one of the largest contributors of pilgrims.
