Over 58,000 Citizens Submit Applications for Hajj 2026

The Ministry of Religious Affairs announced on Friday that more than 58,000 applications have been submitted so far by prospective pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj. To accommodate the rush, designated banks will remain open on Saturday, August 9, to continue accepting forms.

Pakistan’s Hajj Quota for 2026

For the upcoming pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims. Of these:

• 129,210 seats are reserved under the government scheme.
• The remaining quota will be managed by private Hajj tour operators.

Government Hajj Packages and Costs

The government is offering pilgrims two package options:

• Long Package: 38–42 days
• Short Package: 20–25 days

The estimated cost for a government-arranged pilgrimage ranges between Rs 1.15 million and Rs 1.25 million (approximately $4,050–$4,236).

Application Process and Deadlines

According to the ministry, applications are being accepted both online and through 14 designated banks authorized by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Pilgrims are registered on a first-come, first-served basis.

• First installment: Must be submitted by Saturday.
• Second installment: Due in November.

Learning from 2025’s Experience

The ministry noted that Pakistan’s 2025 quota was identical to the 2026 allocation. While the government fully utilized its share of over 88,000 pilgrims, a significant portion of the private sector quota went unused.

This shortfall was attributed to delays by private tour operators in completing payment and registration processes. Many operators cited technical challenges, including payment processing issues and communication lapses, as the primary reasons for the underutilization of their allocation.