In a historic first, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has launched a comprehensive 16-page multi-year Hajj Policy and Plan covering 2027 to 2030.
Designed to bring long-term stability and cost efficiency to Hajj operations, the strategy relies on securing three- to four-year contracts in Saudi Arabia for air travel, accommodation, transport, catering, and baggage management.
Under the new framework, 60% of the overall quota is reserved for the Government Scheme, with the remaining 40% allocated to private operators. All paper cash transactions have been eliminated, with financial operations now routed exclusively through the State Bank of Pakistan and integrated digital portals.
To help citizens plan their pilgrimage without added stress, the ministry is introducing a multi-year registration list alongside a “Hajj Savings Scheme.” By depositing 10% of the estimated total cost, applicants can lock in a priority spot on a first-come, first-served basis for their intended travel year.
Government pilgrims will be able to choose between a 38-to-42-day standard long package and a 20-to-25-day short package, with any operational surplus left at the end of the season refunded directly to pilgrims, a measure aimed at maintaining financial transparency.
Major social and regulatory reforms sit at the heart of the new policy. Women are now permitted to perform Hajj without a male guardian (Mahram), provided they submit an official undertaking. Strict anti-monopoly measures have also been introduced for private operators to dismantle industry cartels, with buying, selling, or sub-letting Hajj quotas strictly banned.
Private companies must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, process all data through the official Private Hajj Management Portal, and maintain specified capital reserves along with a 5% performance guarantee to secure a three-year license. Any operator failing to meet a minimum quota of 2,000 pilgrims will be deactivated, losing half its security deposit while its pilgrims are reassigned elsewhere.
Pilgrim welfare, safety, and operational readiness are heavily prioritized across the four-part plan. Mandatory training will cover religious rituals, Saudi laws, health and hygiene, and relevant mobile applications, while welfare assistants (Moawineen) will be recruited purely on merit under guidelines set by the Cabinet Committee on Private Hajj Policy.
Financial protection has also been built into the scheme through the Takaful-based Hujjaj Muhafiz Scheme, funded by a non-refundable Rs1,000 fee, offering Rs2 million to the families of pilgrims who pass away during Hajj and Rs250,000 for emergency medical evacuations.
Finally, an Emergency Response Team under the Director-General of Hajj has been formed to handle crisis situations, while the Federal Minister retains the authority to adapt policies as required by changing Saudi directives.
