Hajj, the significant pilgrimage for Muslims worldwide, generates great anticipation. Saudi Arabia is now gearing up to host international pilgrims for Hajj 2024, including those from Pakistan, following a successful reopening in the prior season.
Guidelines for Pakistani nationals aspiring to partake in Hajj 2024 are presented below, offering insights into the process.
Hajj 2024 from Pakistan News
Talha Mehmood, the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, announced noteworthy changes for Hajj 2024. He revealed that intending pilgrims will need to cover their expenses in US dollars instead of Pakistani rupees. Additionally, the Hajj quota for 2024 has increased to 179,210, surpassing the 160,000 pilgrims who performed Hajj this year. To address concerns about rising inflation, the government established Hajj expenses at Rs1.175 million per pilgrim, reflecting a 68% rise from the previous year. This led some Muslims to forgo the pilgrimage due to financial constraints. Consequently, there was no balloting process this year, allowing all applicants to partake in Hajj.
Hajj 2024 from Pakistan Dates
Although the exact dates for Hajj 2024 (1445H) are yet to be confirmed, the Saudi Ministry for Hajj and Umrah shared that the first batch of pilgrims will arrive on May 9 next year.
Hajj 2024 from Pakistan Requirements
While the official guidelines are forthcoming, some requirements and rules have been carried over from the current Hajj season and may not apply to Hajj 2024.
Age Limit & Testing Requirements
Hajj is open to individuals aged 12 and above, provided they receive the approved basic vaccine doses and present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arriving in the Kingdom.
Vaccination and Quarantine Requirements
Pilgrims must be vaccinated against COVID-19, including both full doses and a booster shot. Several vaccines are approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, including Pfizer/BioNTech, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Janssen, Moderna, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Covaxin, Sputnik V, Nuvaxovid, and Covovax. Yellow fever, meningitis, polio, and seasonal influenza vaccinations are also obligatory, completed at least 10 days before Hajj. Fully vaccinated foreign pilgrims endorsed by Saudi Arabia are exempt from quarantine, but visit visa holders, including pilgrims, need medical insurance for potential COVID-19 treatment expenses.
Permit
While worshippers no longer need appointments to pray at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, they must secure a Hajj permit through the Absher online app.
Health Protocols
COVID-19 restrictions in Saudi Arabia have been eased, with mask mandates not enforced in most enclosed spaces. Proof of vaccination through the Tawakkalna app is no longer mandatory for entry into most places, and social distancing is no longer enforced in mosques and other areas.
Applicants Eligibility
Hajj 2023 applications in Pakistan are limited to those who haven’t performed the pilgrimage in the past five years, except for first-time female pilgrims accompanied by a Mahram. Female pilgrims must have valid National Identity Cards and Machine-Readable Passports until December 26, 2023. Women over 45 are exempt from the Mahram requirement.
How to Apply for Hajj 2024 from Pakistan
The official guidelines are pending, but certain requirements and processes from this year’s Hajj season may not apply to Hajj 2024.
Government Hajj Scheme Application Date
Pilgrims can apply for this year’s Hajj from March 16 to April 7, 2023, through designated banks. They need to fill out the application form and attach required documents.
Hajj 2024 Lucky Draw
The process for the Hajj 2024 lucky draw has not been officially announced yet.
Hajj 2024 Packages for Pakistan Pilgrims
Various packages are available for Hajj pilgrims in Pakistan, from economy to 5-star options, typically arranged by travel agencies specializing in Hajj journeys.
Here are a selection of authorized Hajj operators officially recognized by Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. To gain more insights into Hajj operators in Pakistan, please refer to our dedicated article below.
Islamabad
- AL ATEEQ TRAVELS & TOURS PVT LTD
- Phone: 092-51232t978
- Cellphone: 0302-9260480
- AL SHAIRE HAIJ & UMRAH SERVICES PVT LTD
- Phone: 0512250616
- Cellphone: 0300-5284342
- 7 SEAS HAJJ AND UMRAH SERVICES PVT LTD
- Phone: 0514 862663
- Cellphone: 0341-6000066
- TALBIA SERVICES PVT LTD
- Phone: 0512-826318
- Cellphone: 0321-5173382
- TRAVEL VALLEY PRIVATE LIMITED
- Phone: 0512-120858
- Cellphone: 0333-3155558
Karachi
- Shahban International Travel
- Phone: 0213-5161011
- Cellphone: 0322-3133338
- BAIT-UL-ATTEEQ PRIVATE LIMITED
- Phone: 0213-4913389
- Cellphone: 0332-3033717
- SHAKIR TRAVELS AND TOURS PVT LTD
- Phone: 0213-4892906
- Cellphone: 0321-8285545
- ORBIT HAJJ & UMRAH SERVICES (SMC) PVT LTD
- Phone: 0219-9245185
- Cellphone: 0321-2552222
- AL-ARIFA PVT LTD
- Phone: 092-2134558802
- Cellphone: 0321-2626627
Lahore
- IDARA AL HARMAIN PVT LTD
- Phone: 0423-6624277
- Cellphone: 0321-8453313
- Sufa International Travel & Tours PVT LTD.
- Phone: 0423 5761771
- Cellphone: 0300-9414539
- PARADIGM TOURS PRIVATE LIMITED
- Phone: 0423-5833321
- Cellphone: 0314-407 3213
- GENEVA TRAVELS AND TOURS PVT LTD
- Phone: 0423 6301552
- Cellphone: 0333-4422708
- AL RAZA INTERNATIONAL TOUR AND TRAVEL PVT LTD
- Phone: 0423-5292908
- Cellphone: 0300 4023625
Multan
- UNITED HAJJ & UMRAH SERVICES CORPORATION (PVT) LIMITED
- Phone: 0614-580336
- Cellphone: 0334-1657412
- LABBAIK HOLY TOURS PVT LTD
- Phone:0614-501049
- Cellphone: 0300-9634875
- KARWAN-E-ABUZAR GHAFARI PVT LTD
- Phone: 0616-210392
- Cellphone: 0300-6323224
- ZIMRI TRAVELS PVT LTD
- Phone: 0614-501720
- Cellphone: 0333-6119018
- KARWAN-E-ALSAIM HAJJ SERVICES PVT LTD
- Phone: 0614-572904
- Cellphone: 0302-7777185
Peshawar
- FALCON HAJJ SERVICES (PVT) LTD
- Phone: 091-2571111
- Cellphone: 0333 9076419
- MILLI HARMAIN HAJJ AND UMRA SERVICES (PVT) LTD
- Phone: 0972-672215
- Cellphone: 0300-9062921
- MANIAR TOURS & TRAVELS (PVT) LTD
- Phone: 0300-9062921
- Cellphone: 0313-8585335
- MUSA KHAN HAJJ TRAVEL & TOURS (PVT) LTD
- Phone: 9291-2217722
- Cellphone: 0313-9160680
- YASEEN HAJJ AND UMRAH SERVICES PVT LTD
- Phone: 0091-5704647
- Cellphone: 0307-5935847
Pakistan Hajj Cost 2024
The cost varies based on the region. The government’s Hajj scheme costs PKR 1,175,000 for the northern regions and PKR 1,165,000 for the southern region. Private travel agents’ prices might be higher. A Sponsorship Scheme offers reduced costs for pilgrims depositing dues in US dollars.
