ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The government is preparing to launch an interest-free Hajj Savings Plan to help pilgrims manage their expenses through advance financial planning.
The initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Finance and the Central Directorate of National Savings following approval from the prime minister.
According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, a consultative meeting was held under the chairmanship of the secretary of religious affairs, with officials from the Finance Ministry and National Savings in attendance.
The proposed plan will allow pilgrims to deposit money through digital channels and choose a savings period. It will also include a facility for transferring savings among family members.
A proposal allowing participants to withdraw their funds at any time without deductions is also under consideration.
The secretary of religious affairs has directed officials to finalize the rules and regulations for the scheme within two months.
The meeting also discussed introducing similar savings schemes for Umrah and other religious pilgrimages.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, the initiative aims to help pilgrims plan their expenses in advance amid rising inflation. Further details, including operational procedures, will be announced later.
Hajj Scheme second installment collection underway
The collection of the second installment of Hajj dues under the government Hajj scheme is underway, and so far, 22,172 pilgrims have completed the payment.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs spokesperson, 12,743 pilgrims completed the second installment payment from the comfort of their homes via 1LINK, while 1,089 individuals opted for bank cards and 8,340 chose manual bank challans.
The spokesperson stated that the proportion of online payments made from home via the digital Hajj portal has exceeded 55 percent, with Rs 14.17 billion received against the second installment of Hajj dues.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the deadline for depositing the second installment of Hajj dues under the government scheme has been set for October 20.
Uploading a medical fitness certificate to the Hajj portal is mandatory before making the second installment payment.
The spokesperson noted that the payment of Hajj dues can be completed via the National IT Board’s Hajj portal using 1LINK, bank cards, or manual bank challans.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, 14,605 pilgrims completed the second installment payment on the first day of collection.
Of these, 10,000 pilgrims made the payment from home via 1LINK, while 899 individuals used bank cards and 3,612 deposited the dues via manual bank challans.
The spokesperson added that at this stage, the proportion of online payments made from home via the digital Hajj portal had exceeded 75 percent, with Rs 9.30 billion received against the second installment.
