ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani religious affairs ministry is mulling inviting early applications for next year’s Hajj pilgrimage as well as the payment of dues by pilgrims in installments, it said on Saturday, following a briefing to the caretaker religious affairs minister Aneeq Ahmed.
The statement came after a briefing given to the Caretaker Religious Affairs Minister Aneeq Ahmed, at which officials informed about this year’s Hajj arrangements.
The minister praised Saudi Arabia for exemplary arrangements during the pilgrimage despite harsh weather, observing that an early approval of the Hajj policy would further improve the arrangements.
“[The authorities] are trying to bring a long-term Hajj policy,” the religious affairs ministry said in a statement.
“Inviting early applications for Hajj 2024 is under consideration, along with a proposal for the pilgrims to deposit dues in installments.”
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage includes series of rites completed over four days in Makkah and its surroundings in the west of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia this year reinstated Pakistan’s pre-pandemic Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims and scrapped the upper age limit of 65 in January. More than 81,000 Pakistani pilgrims performed the pilgrimage under the government scheme this year, while the rest were facilitated by private tour operators.
Pakistan has already received its quota for next year’s Hajj and the South Asian country is currently exploring cost-effective travel by land and sea.
“Fortunately, we already know our quota for next year, allowing us for advanced preparations and more cost-effective travel options, such as traveling by ship or road, which will make Hajj more affordable for pilgrims,” outgoing religious affairs minister Talha Mahmood had said in July.
