179,000 Pakistani pilgrims expected to join Hajj 2023

This year, half of the available spots (89,605) for the Hajj pilgrimage will be given to Pakistanis living abroad through a sponsorship scheme under the country’s Hajj Policy 2023. It will allow overseas Pakistanis to go on the pilgrimage themselves or finance their relatives in Pakistan by bearing the Hajj expense in US dollars. The fixed 50% quota for overseas Pakistanis will help generate $194 million in pilgrimage expenses, reduce the outflow of foreign currency and boost the economy.

The government needs a total of $284 million to facilitate the Hajj of which the finance ministry would provide about $90 million.

Under the Hajj sponsorship scheme, “a special facility will be given to Hajj pilgrims seeking foreign exchange from abroad in the specific dollar account of the religious affairs ministry,” the minister said. He added that overseas Pakistanis and their relatives would be exempted from the usual balloting process to finalise the names of pilgrims. Mufti Shakoor also clarified that “depositing dollars from Pakistan is not allowed”.

Hajj cost for Pakistani pilgrims

The cost of performing the Hajj has increased by about 65% this year for pilgrims in Pakistan. Under the government scheme, the expenses per pilgrim will be Rs1.1 million ($4,200 as of March 12). Last year, the Hajj expenses were around Rs710,000 after subsidy. The cost has significantly increased amidst an ongoing economic crisis, which has resulted in a massive devaluation of the local currency against the US dollar.

“According to the official statement, the estimated cost of Hajj for locals from the northern region, including Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, Faisalabad, Rahim Yar Khan, and Sialkot is Rs1,175,000 and about $4,325 for overseas Pakistanis and their sponsored relatives. The estimated cost of Hajj from the southern region, including Karachi, Quetta, and Sukkur, is Rs1,165,000 for locals and approximately $4,285 for Pakistanis living abroad and their relatives.

Pakistan’s national airline PIA has announced fares for private Hajj, ranging between US$870 and $1,180 per pilgrim from the southern region. The airfares for pilgrims in the northern region will cost between $910 and $1,220. PIA will continue Hajj flight operations from May 21 to August 2. Saudi airlines and two private airlines will also join Hajj flight operations from Pakistan during the pilgrimage season.