The Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced that a mandatory training program for Hajj pilgrims will commence from January 1. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Nisab Committee for Hajj Training held in Islamabad. Attendance at the one-day training session has been declared compulsory for all intending pilgrims, who must participate according to the officially assigned schedule.
To ensure smooth communication, the ministry stated that training schedules will be shared through multiple platforms, including the Pak-Hajj 2025 mobile application, the official website, and SMS notifications. The primary objective of the training is to help pilgrims gain a clear understanding of Hajj rituals while also familiarizing them with essential administrative procedures related to the pilgrimage.
According to officials, the training sessions will be conducted by experienced Haji camp staff, certified master trainers, and religious scholars. Multimedia tools and presentations will be used to enhance learning and ensure effective delivery of guidance.
Meanwhile, the ministry also confirmed that Saudi Arabia has introduced updated medical eligibility requirements for Hajj 2026, as outlined by the Saudi Ministry of Health. Under the new regulations, individuals suffering from serious health conditions will not be permitted to perform Hajj. This includes patients with kidney failure, those undergoing dialysis, and individuals diagnosed with lung or liver diseases or cancer.
Additionally, pilgrims with severe neurological or psychiatric disorders, memory-related illnesses, chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, and those affected by tuberculosis, whooping cough, or viral hemorrhagic fever will also be barred from undertaking the pilgrimage.
The ministry warned that pilgrims found medically unfit may be deported from Saudi Arabia at their own expense. Strict legal action will be taken against doctors who issue fraudulent medical fitness certificates. Medical officers have the authority to stop unfit pilgrims prior to departure, while Saudi monitoring teams will verify medical documentation upon arrival.
Also Read: Hajj 2026 Application Dates Officially Announced
The Ministry of Religious Affairs reiterated that only pilgrims who meet the required health standards will be allowed to perform Hajj, emphasizing safety and well-being throughout the sacred journey.
