The Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Aneeq Ahmed, announced the commencement of Hajj applications for the year 2024, starting from November 27 to December 12. Ensuring a fair selection process, he highlighted the transparency of the balloting system, providing equal opportunities for all applicants.
Revealing the Hajj Policy 2024, Minister Aneeq emphasized historic measures taken for pilgrim comfort. Essential items, such as a 30kg capacity travel bag with QR coding, a 7kg hand-carry bag, Pakistani flag scarves for women’s identification, Ahram belts for male pilgrims, and designated shoe bags, will be provided free of charge.
Connectivity will enhanced with a supplied mobile SIM featuring 7 GB data for mandatory use during the stay in Saudi Arabia. A dedicated mobile application, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology, will offer training, tracking, and guidance both online and offline.
The Hajj package includes a provision of separate two-bed and three-bedrooms in Makkah, subject to availability, with additional charges for families. The Hajj quota for 2024 set at 179,210, with a balanced distribution of 50 percent each for public and private Hajj schemes.
Eligibility criteria exclude individuals who performed Hajj from 2017 to 2023, with exceptions for ‘Mahram’ of a woman going on Hajj for the first time and those in the sponsorship scheme. The government sponsorship scheme will operate on a ‘first come first serve basis’ and exempted from the balloting process.
Minister Aneeq stressed that women can apply for Hajj without a ‘Mahram,’ provided they submit an affidavit stating permission from parents or husbands and assurance of safe travel. The Hajj package for 2024 is Rs. 100,000 cheaper than the previous year, totaling Rs1,075,000 compared to Rs1,175,000, reflecting the government’s commitment to facilitating a spiritually enriching pilgrimage experience. Comprehensive training, medical assistance, and monitoring teams in Saudi Arabia further contribute to a seamless and fulfilling Hajj journey.
