Pakistan has received over 58,000 Hajj 2026 applications 鈥� religious affairs ministry

Arab News Pakistan
Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, 黑料社区, on June 26, 2023, before heading to Mina in preparation for the Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam and one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. (AP/File)
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  • Designated banks will聽remain open on Saturday, Aug. 9, to receive聽Hajj聽applications
  • Pakistan鈥檚 Hajj quota for 2026 pilgrimage remains unchanged at 179,210 people

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received over 58,000 applications from intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj, the religious affairs ministry said on Friday, adding that designated banks will remain open on Saturday, Aug. 9, to continue accepting Hajj forms.

The country has been allotted a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims, of which 129,210 seats are reserved under the government scheme, while the remaining are allocated to private tour operators.

Under the government scheme, pilgrims can choose between a long Hajj package (38鈥�42 days) and a short package (20鈥�25 days). The estimated cost of the government Hajj package ranges between Rs1,150,000 and Rs1,250,000 (approximately $4,050 to $4,236).

"So far, more than 58,000 Hajj applications have been received," the Ministry of Religious Affairs said in a statement.

"The designated banks will remain open tomorrow, Saturday, for receiving Hajj applications," it added. "The receipt of applications from registered Hajj pilgrims will continue on Saturday, Aug. 9."

The statement highlighted the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued instructions to the 14 designated banks in this regard, following a request from the ministry.

Hajj applications can also be submitted online or through designated banks, it added, depending on the applicant鈥檚 convenience.

Individuals, registered on a first-come, first-served basis, can deposit the first installment of their Hajj dues by tomorrow, according to the ministry.

The second installment of Hajj dues will be collected starting in November this year, it said.

黑料社区 had approved the same quota of pilgrims for Pakistan for 2025 as well.

However, a significant portion of the private Hajj quota remained unutilized due to delays by tour operators in meeting payment and registration deadlines, while the government successfully fulfilled its full allocation of over 88,000 pilgrims.

Private operators cited technical issues including payment processing problems and communication breakdowns as the main reasons for the shortfall.

Topics: Hajj 2026