The Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Mufti Abdul Shakoor has revealed the expected expenses for individuals who register in the government’s Hajj program in 2023. This announcement was made the day following the approval of the Hajj Policy 2023 by the Federal Cabinet.
The cost for northern Pakistan’s pilgrims will be Rs. 1.175 million (Rs. 11.75 Lakh) while southern Pakistan’s pilgrims will be paying Rs. 1.165 million (Rs. 11.65 Lakh). Applications for Hajj will be accepted through 14 approved banks from 16th to 31st March 2023.
This cost includes round-trip airfare from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, transportation between the two cities and to the holy sites, and other services such as meals, laundry, and medical care. The actual cost may vary depending on the location of departure, as the cost of airfare may be higher in some cities compared to others.
Applicants who have already performed Hajj within the last 5 years will not be considered under the standard Hajj system. However, the age restriction has been abolished for this year. The government has set aside a 50% share in the official Hajj Plan 2023 for individuals who opt to conduct private Hajj.
The minister has stated that the Hajj costs have increased by over Rs. 350,000 due to the devaluation of the rupee versus the dollar. However, he emphasized that the Hajj program’s costs are still lower than those of neighboring countries such as India, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
Furthermore, Minister Abdul Shakoor praised the government for resolving the Hajj currency exchange issues. He also acknowledged that the cost of necessary goods and services in Saudi Arabia has risen owing to tax increases.
