Pakistan, Saudi Arabia sign Hajj 2027 agreement in Jeddah; quota set at 179,210 pilgrims
The Kaaba inside Masjid al-Haram, Makkah (file photo)
JEDDAH: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed the agreement for Hajj 2027, fixing Pakistan’s pilgrim quota at 179,210. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah signed the agreement on the sidelines of the sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah. Of the total quota, 107,526 slots are reserved for the Government Hajj Scheme and 71,684 for private Hajj operators.
The agreement is meant to make the journey easier, more comfortable and better organised for Pakistani pilgrims. Both sides agreed to improve travel, accommodation and other basic facilities, and to settle service contracts well in advance so the pilgrimage runs smoothly from departure to return. It also covers the Route to Makkah project, under which pilgrims complete part of their immigration formalities in Pakistan before flying out.
Government packages: Rs1.2m for 40 days, Rs1.3m for the shorter stay
Under the government scheme, the standard package of around 40 days will cost approximately Rs1.2 million, while the shorter 20-to-25-day package will cost around Rs1.3 million. The Religious Affairs Ministry says nearly 80 per cent of seats under the private scheme have already been booked, with about 15,000 still available. Pilgrims under the private scheme have so far deposited Rs57 billion — Rs30 billion through One Link PSID and bank cards and more than Rs27 billion through manual bank challans.
Sacrifice cost included in private packages
The ministry has clarified that this year the cost of sacrifice, Rs55,000, is already included in all private Hajj packages listed on the Pak Hajj app and the Hajj digital portal. Any additional facility must also be selected and paid for only through the portal. Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs Abrar Ahmed Mirza, Joint Secretary Syed Abdul Waheed Shah and Acting Director General Hajj Arif Aslam Rao attended the signing. The Saudi minister also presented the Pakistani minister with pictures of Makkah and Madinah and a commemorative shield.
