ISLAMABAD: Over 24,000 Hajj applications by Pakistani pilgrims had been received by designated banks by Tuesday, Radio Pakistan reported, as the nation prepares for the annual pilgrimage slated to be held in June next year.
Saudi Arabia has allotted Pakistan a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, to be divided equally between the government and private schemes. Around 15 designated Pakistani banks started receiving applications for Hajj 2025 from intending pilgrims on Monday this week.
The deadline to file Hajj applications is Dec. 3 while the draw for the government scheme will be held on Dec. 6.
“Receiving Hajj applications under the Government Scheme, through designated banks, is gaining momentum,” Radio Pakistan reported.
“Today, four thousand Hajj applications were received, bringing the tally to twenty-four thousand, two hundred and sixty-six.”
A quota of 5,000 has been allocated for overseas Pakistanis on a “first-come-first-served basis,” the religious affairs ministry said on Monday.
The ministry announced the country’s Hajj 2025 policy earlier this month, according to which pilgrims can pay fees for the annual pilgrimage in installments for the first time.
Under the government scheme, the first installment of Hajj dues, amounting to Rs200,000 ($717), has to be deposited along with the Hajj application, while a second installment of Rs400,000 ($1,435) must be deposited within ten days of the balloting. The remaining amount has to be deposited by Feb. 10 next year.
On Sunday, Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry said it had launched the “Pak Hajj 2025” mobile application to guide and facilitate pilgrims. The app is available for both Android and iPhone users.