Over 250,000 Pakistanis Register for Hajj 2026 as Deadline Closes

Lahore, Pakistan - The dream of performing Hajj in 2026 is burning bright for hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis, as the mandatory registration for the sacred pilgrimage concluded today, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has confirmed an overwhelming response, with over 250,000 intending pilgrims successfully registering their names for Hajj 2026.

This significant turnout underscores the deep spiritual yearning within the Pakistani community to undertake the holy journey to Makkah and Madinah. The registration process, which began last month, allowed aspiring pilgrims to register their interest through a network of 15 designated banks across the country, as well as via a convenient online portal. Crucially, this initial registration phase was completely free of charge, making it accessible to a wider segment of the population.

Why Early Registration? A Proactive Approach for Hajj 2026

The decision by the ministry to implement this early and mandatory registration aligns with the Saudi government's directives for advance planning. By collecting comprehensive pilgrim data at this stage, Pakistan aims to:

Streamline Quota Determination: The compiled registration data will be crucial for Saudi authorities to accurately determine Pakistan's Hajj quota for 2026, ensuring optimal allocation and arrangements.

Facilitate Logistical Planning: Early numbers allow for better planning of flights, accommodation, transportation, and other essential services in Saudi Arabia, ultimately leading to a smoother experience for pilgrims.

Avoid Past Issues: This proactive measure comes after lessons learned from Hajj 2025, where a notable portion of Pakistan's private Hajj quota remained unutilized due to various logistical and payment challenges faced by private operators. The Ministry is keen to prevent a recurrence of such issues for Hajj 2026.

What's Next for Registered Pilgrims? Choosing Your Hajj Scheme

With the registration window now closed, only those who successfully completed this initial step will be eligible to proceed with their Hajj applications for 2026. The next phase will involve registered individuals having the opportunity to choose between two primary schemes:

Government Hajj Scheme: This scheme is managed directly by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, offering structured packages and arrangements.

Private Hajj Scheme: This option allows pilgrims to travel through authorized private Hajj operators, often providing more flexible and premium package choices.

Detailed information regarding the expenses, terms, and conditions for both the government and private Hajj schemes under the Hajj Policy 2026 will be announced separately by the Ministry. Pilgrims are advised to stay tuned to official announcements from the Ministry and reputable news sources like trips.pk for these crucial updates.

A Message to Overseas Pakistanis and Previous Applicants

It's important to note that the mandatory registration applied not only to residents within Pakistan but also to Overseas Pakistanis holding valid Pakistani passports. They too were urged to complete their registration through the online portal to secure their eligibility for Hajj 2026.

Furthermore, individuals who applied for the private Hajj scheme in 2025 but were unable to perform the pilgrimage for various reasons were also required to re-register for Hajj 2026 if they intend to travel next year.

The journey to Hajj is a profound spiritual undertaking, and the overwhelming response to the Hajj 2026 registration reflects the deep-rooted faith and desire of Pakistanis to fulfill this sacred obligation. trips.pk will continue to provide timely updates and comprehensive guides to assist pilgrims on every step of their blessed journey.