ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Today (Friday, February 14) is the final deadline for intending pilgrims to submit the third installment of dues under the Government Hajj Scheme.
The government has warned that failing to meet the deadline may result in the cancellation of the Hajj application.
According to a ministry spokesperson, all applicants must ensure their payments are made at designated branches of the banks by Friday (today) to avoid cancellation of their applications.
He urged intending pilgrims to also collect a computerised receipt of their payments from respective bank branches. “Failure to submit the installment may result in the cancellation of the Hajj application,” he warned.
The spokesperson also said that pilgrims could still modify their preferences pertaining to accommodation options, sacrificial arrangements and departure points by coordinating with their banks.
Meanwhile, he confirmed that the refund process for Rs4.75 billion saved from Hajj 2024 was continuing. “Most banks have already transferred the refunded amounts to the accounts of last year’s pilgrims,” he said.
He advised those who have yet to receive their refunds to contact their respective bank branches.
Reduction in cost of Hajj packages
In a major relief to the pilgrims, the federal government has announced a significant reduction in the cost of Hajj packages this year.
The announcement to this effect came from Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhary Salik Hussain during a news conference in Islamabad on Tuesday.
He said that the cost of the Hajj package spanning over 40 days has been reduced by Rs25,000, bringing it down to Rs10,50,000 and the 25-day short Hajj package’s cost has been cut by Rs50,000 to Rs11,00,000.
The cost was previously set at Rs1,075,000 for the long Hajj package and Rs1,150,000 for the short package.
He said the decision was made possible after successful negotiations between Pakistan government committee and Saudi authorities.
Pilgrims are now required to pay the third instalment, which is Rs450,000 for the long package and Rs500,000 for the short package.
The intending pilgrims were asked to pay the third instalment between February 6 and 14 at designated banks.
Under the annual Hajj agreement between Pakistan and the Kingdom, 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Hajj this year.
