What could be the Hajj price in Pakistan in 2023?

ISLAMABAD – The annual Hajj pilgrimage would cost more than Rs1 million for each pilgrim under the state-run scheme this year as the local currency faced severe blows under the ongoing economic meltdown.

The elevated prices for Islamic pilgrimage are also due to the global economic situation while the government would not be able to offer any major subsidy in wake of the deteriorating economy.

Despite the deteriorating situation, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar committed to extend maximum support and cooperation to pilgrims for the sacred religious obligation.

On Monday, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet gave assent to the Hajj Policy for this year. Finance chief Ishaq Dar shared the development on Twitter after the ECC meeting approve the policy. Minister agreed to provide foreign exchange cover of $90 million.

Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar in a meeting with Mufti Abdul Shakoor,Federal Minister for Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony,discussed Hajj Policy-2023 and expressed resolve to provide max facilitation to Hujjaj in order to make Hajj event blessed and peaceful pic.twitter.com/aNHY1Iedpx

— Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) March 4, 2023

This year, 179,210 pilgrims will be able to avail Hajj package for Hajj, which shall be distributed between the state run and private Hajj schemes with a ratio of 50:50.

The Hajj Package for the Northern region will cost Rs1,175,000 and for the South Region, the tentative price has been set at Rs1,165,000.

Lately, Finance Minister held a meeting with Religious Affairs Minister Mufti Abdul Shakoor and pledged to provide maximum facilitation to the pilgrims to make Hajj event blessed.

PIA rolls out fares for Hajj 2023; operations to kick off from May 21

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has revealed the fares for the Hajj pilgrimage 2023.

The national carrier has rolled out flight operations and private Hajj fares for the upcoming season as flight operations are set to start on May 21 and will continue till August

For private Hajj, fares for pilgrims from Karachi, Quetta, Sukkur, and Hyderabad and southern region are set from $870 to $1180 per passenger. From the northern region, passengers traveling from Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Multan, and other cities, will be paying from $910 to $1,220.

As the national flag carrier unveiled flight operations, the Ministry of Religious Affairs will soon announce fares for pilgrims going under the government Hajj scheme.

For this year’s pilgrimage, around 180,000 pilgrims are expected to leave Pakistan, while the cost of the Hajj is likely to reach up to Rs1.02 million.

Special quota for Hajj pilgrims paying fees in dollars

In a similar development, the Ministry of Religious Affairs announced to dedicate 25 percent special quota in the state-managed Hajj Scheme for pilgrims paying in US dollars.

More than 20,000 pilgrims are expected to get benefit from the ‘Sponsorship Scheme’ being introduced. Meanwhile, the Hajj quota for private operators is expected to increase further.