PIA to Offer Travel Services for 35,000 Hajj Pilgrims in 2025

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have reached an agreement to operate Hajj flights for 2025. PIA will provide travel services for 35,000 government-registered pilgrims as part of the arrangement. The formal agreement was signed in Islamabad between PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Aamir Hayat and Religious Affairs Additional Secretary Dr. Syed Attaur Rahman, where the PIA CEO emphasized the airline’s commitment to ensuring top-quality travel for pilgrims.

Additionally, the ministry indicated that similar agreements with Saudi Airlines and other local carriers are expected to be finalized soon. On November 11, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain announced Pakistan’s Hajj Policy 2025, which includes detailed procedures, costs, and regulations for the pilgrimage. The policy allocates 179,000 Hajj pilgrims for 2025, equally divided between government and private schemes.

Read More: Hajj Policy 2025 Explore Quota, Costs, and Application Procedures

Key highlights of the Hajj Policy 2025:

1. Costs and Packages: Two packages will be available for the official scheme:

• A 38-42 day package for Rs1.075 million
• A 20-25 day package for Rs1.175 million
  An initial deposit of Rs200,000 is required, with additional payments due in the following months.

1. Quota Distribution: The total 179,210 seats will be equally distributed between public and private schemes, with an extra 5,000 seats for the government’s sponsorship scheme.
2. Additional Fees: Pilgrims can opt for extra services like sacrifices (Rs55,000) or upgraded accommodations in Makkah (double-bed: Rs220,000, triple-bed: Rs75,000).
3. Compensation: Families of pilgrims who pass away during Hajj will receive Rs2 million, and those who are injured will receive Rs1 million.
4. Refund Policies: Full refunds will be provided for withdrawals before the last application date. However, there will be deductions for withdrawals after the lucky draw, with no refunds for cancellations after February 10, unless due to the applicant’s death.
5. Measures Against Begging: Strict measures will be taken to prevent pilgrims from begging during the Hajj, including crackdowns on Umrah pilgrims engaged in such activities.

The application process for the Hajj scheme will be open from November 18 to December 3, 2024, with the draw for government-sponsored pilgrims set for December 6.