ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has extended the deadline for the submission of the Hajj 2026 application under the government scheme for one day.
All the designated banks shall accept the application on Monday, August 18, under the “first-come, first-served” policy, according to the spokesperson of the Ministry.
More than 110,000 applications have been submitted as of now, and 7000 seats are still vacant under the government scheme, he added.
However, the spokesperson clarifies that the extension is only valid for the bank submission, and the online portal has been closed on August 16 and will not be reopened.
He went on to say that once all available slots are filled, applications will be terminated immediately.
This year’s official Hajj 2026 program includes two options: a full package of 38-42 days and a short package of 20-25 days.
The cost ranges from Rs1.15 million to Rs1.25 million, with an initial payment of Rs500,000 or Rs550,000 required at the time of application, depending on the chosen package.
The remaining sum will be collected starting on November 1. The ministry also clarified that overseas Pakistanis holding a valid Pakistani passport are eligible to apply.
According to the new policy, 70% of the quota is earmarked for the government plan and 30% for commercial tour operators.
Pakistan’s entire Hajj quota is 179,210 pilgrims, of which 119,210 are under the government plan and 60,000 are for private operators, pending final clearance from Saudi authorities.
