KARACHI: Since due to the rising cost of performing Hajj, it has become almost impossible for a common Pakistani to foot the bill, not many submitted the applications for balloting that was scheduled to be held on 6th December.

Hoping that hordes of intended Hajj pilgrim will submit their applications, Ministry of Religious Affairs has extended the deadline from 3rd to 10th December. Fifteen designated banks, all over Pakistan, will continue receiving Hajj applications till 10th of December.

Balloting: Applications will be received till 10th day of Dec, while the balloting (which was supposed to take place on 6th Dec) will be held after that.

If things go according to government’s calculations, 1,79,210 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Hajj in 2025, half of the cases will be handled by private operators.

Sponsorship: Five thousand seats will be available for sponsorship under the government Hajj Scheme, while 30,000 seats will be allocated to the private operators. It is mandatory to send foreign exchange through the banking channel to participate in the sponsorship scheme.

First Come First Served: The government sponsorship scheme will operate on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and will be exempted from balloting. The foreign exchange collected through the sponsorship scheme will be used solely for Hajj-related expenses in Saudi Arabia.

Long and short stays: Under the Government Hajj Scheme, the traditional long stay will be of 38 to 42 days, and the short stay will be 20 to 25 days. Each organized private Hajj group will consist of at least 2,000 pilgrims as per Saudi regulations.

The Cost: The cost for the Government Hajj Scheme for 2025 will range between rupees ten lakh seventy-five thousands to Rs. Eleven lakh seventy-five thousand (plus rupees fifty-five thousands for the sacrifice).

Double Bed: Applicants opting for double-bed and triple-bed accommodations in Makkah will need to deposit an additional amount of Rs. 220,000 and Rs. 75,000 respectively.

Instalments: The first instalment of Hajj dues, amounting to Rs. 200,000 will have to be deposited along with the Hajj application under the Government Hajj Scheme, while the second instalment of Rs. 400,000 will be deposited within ten days of the balloting. Intending pilgrims will be able to deposit the remaining amount by 10th February, 2025.

Refunds: In case an application is withdrawn before the date of submission there will be not deduction refunds. After the balloting Rs. 59,000/- will be deducted. Rs. 200,000 will be deduction if the third instalment is not deposited.

Refund: No refund of the remaining amount will be made, but in case of the applicant’s death no deductions will be made.

Newspakistan.tv