Private Hajj Applications Open for Pakistanis Starting Today

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has officially begun accepting applications for the 2026 private Hajj scheme, creating opportunities for thousands of new and previously deferred pilgrims.

Priority for Last Year’s Applicants

According to ministry officials, private Hajj operators will first accommodate 22,097 pilgrims who were registered last year but could not proceed with Hajj. These applicants have already been documented, and operators will be required to submit an affidavit confirming their inclusion before considering fresh applications.

This measure ensures that the long-awaited chance to perform Hajj for these individuals will finally materialize this year.

Alongside the deferred applicants, 37,903 new pilgrims will be able to apply under the private scheme. In total, the private Hajj quota has been fixed at 60,000 pilgrims.

Earlier, the government had opened applications for its Hajj scheme on August 23. Within just 17 days, the quota was filled after receiving 118,060 applications nationwide. The process was conducted online and through designated banks on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to heavy demand, authorities had to stop receiving forms earlier than expected.

This year, applicants had the choice of both long and short-duration Hajj packages. The ministry confirmed that half of the total cost has been collected as an advance payment, while the remaining amount will be received in the second installment.

The opening of private applications now ensures that both last year’s deferred pilgrims and fresh applicants will have a fair opportunity to perform the sacred journey in 2026.

Source: Web Desk