ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved Pakistan’s first comprehensive four-year Hajj policy framework for 2027-2030, introducing several long-term reforms aimed at improving planning, management and services for Pakistani pilgrims.
The policy was approved during a federal cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister in Islamabad. The new framework replaces the previous practice of announcing Hajj policies on an annual basis and provides a four-year roadmap for better coordination and operational planning.
According to the new Hajj policy, applicants will get an option to register once for all Hajj seasons until 2030 and they will not have to go through the registration process annually. The system will also enable authorities to maintain waiting lists and facilitate future planning.
The newly adopted Hajj policy also includes the adoption of a Shariah-compliant saving plan for Hajj which will allow citizens to save money for the Hajj pilgrimage on yearly basis according to Islamic financial rules.
The government will introduce digital reforms in Hajj management which will include digital payments, complaint resolving mechanism, monitoring system, and other administrative functions.
The policy framework will maintain separate quotas for government and private Hajj schemes and include both long-term and short-term Hajj packages. It also makes pilgrim training, Takaful (Islamic insurance) coverage, and emergency arrangements mandatory components of the programme.
Officials said amendments would be introduced whenever required to ensure compliance with Saudi Arabian laws and regulations. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) and implementation guidelines will also be developed under the new framework.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure that the selection of Hajj assistants is conducted transparently and strictly on merit. He further instructed officials to arrange independent third-party evaluations of services provided under both government and private Hajj programmes.
The government expects the four-year policy to provide greater predictability for pilgrims while improving the overall management and delivery of Hajj services.
