The second phase of Hajj training under the government scheme will begin after Eid and the first Hajj flight from Pakistan is scheduled to depart on April 19.
According to media reports under the government scheme in Peshawar Hajj pilgrims will be provided with immigration facilities at Islamabad Airport through the “Road to Makkah” project while private pilgrims will depart from Peshawar Airport.
This year over 180,000 fortunate pilgrims will perform Hajj including those who were unable to go last year.
Pilgrims from Peshawar and across the province who missed out on Hajj last year have been included again. Some of these pilgrims have been asked for additional fees by private travel agents.
Earlier, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said preparations for Hajj 2026 were going on as per the schedule of Saudi authorities. According to numbers released by the minister about 119,000 government scheme pilgrims have been registered as well as 60,000 private scheme pilgrims.
He added that arrangements relating to food, transportation and other necessary services have been finalised through a competitive process.
Referring to Hajj 2025, the minister stated that refunds worth Rs3.5 billion were given back to 75 per cent of the Pakistani pilgrims with the amount of Rs12,000 to Rs110,000 per individual.
He further pointed out that training sessions equipped with audio-visual facilities were organised in 147 places in the country and there was discipline among pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage.
The minister added that the project of the Road to Makah was extended to include the Karachi Airport besides the airports at Islamabad, while efforts are being made to include that at Lahore.
Under Hajj and Umrah Act, Umrah Rules 2025 have been drafted and sent to the cabinet committee for approval. Also the verified contracts of 245 Umrah companies are published on the ministry’s website.
Until the rules are approved, complaints related to the Umrah are being put forward to the provincial tourism departments.
