ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s designated banks will remain open on Saturday and Sunday to process applications for the 2025 Hajj, as thousands of Pakistani Muslims seek to embark on the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
According to state media reports, over 24,000 applications have already been submitted by individuals to perform Hajj pilgrimage. The Pakistani government has been allocated a quota of 179,210 by Saudi Arabia, with the quota being equally distributed between the government and private schemes.
The application process began earlier this week, with 15 designated banks across the country accepting submissions.
To accommodate the surge in applications, banks will extend their operating hours this weekend, opening from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm.
The deadline for submitting Hajj applications is December 3, while the draw for the government’s Hajj scheme will take place on December 6.
In an effort to ease the financial burden on applicants, the Ministry of Religious Affairs introduced a new payment plan for the 2025 pilgrimage. Pilgrims can now pay their fees in instalments, a first for the country.
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The initial deposit of Rs200,000 ($717) is required with the application, followed by a second instalment of Rs400,000 ($1,435) within ten days of the lottery results. The remaining amount must be paid by February 10, 2025.
Additionally, the ministry launched the “Pak Hajj 2025” mobile app, available on both Android and iOS platforms, to assist and guide applicants through the process.
