URGENT MANDATE FOR PRIVATE HAJJ ORGANIZERS (PHOs) FOR HAJJ 2026

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Government of Pakistan, has issued a critical and urgent announcement directly addressing all accredited Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs), also referred to as پرائیویٹ حج آپریٹرز (منظمین), who intend to facilitate pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj 2026 season. This mandate outlines non-negotiable financial requirements and stringent deadlines that must be adhered to for continued participation under the designated DHCs (Dirham Hajj Company/Scheme) framework for Hajj 2026.

The overarching message is clear: compliance is mandatory, and any failure to meet the stipulated deadlines or financial obligations will result in immediate, severe, and permanent penalties for the non-compliant Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs). The Government of Pakistan is committed to ensuring a transparent and efficiently managed Hajj 2026, demanding the highest level of professionalism and solvency from every پرائیویٹ حج آپریٹرز (منظمین) operating within the scheme.

I. Introduction: The Hajj 2026 Mandate and the Role of Private Hajj Organizers

The issuance of this circular confirms the accelerated preparatory phase for Hajj 2026. Under the approved Federal Cabinet Hajj Policy and in line with the new regulatory framework, particularly the Saudi requirement for an e-wallet mechanism, all Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs) must demonstrate financial readiness well in advance of the pilgrimage. This proactive approach aims to safeguard the interests of potential pilgrims and ensure that all logistical and financial arrangements are cemented months before the Hajj 2026 season commences.

The Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs) play a crucial role in managing the non-governmental quota for Pakistani pilgrims. Therefore, their adherence to the financial and procedural requirements is paramount. The DHCs system, under which these پرائیویٹ حج آپریٹرز (منظمین) operate, is designed to streamline fund management and service delivery, making the financial deadline of December 31, 2025, a cornerstone of the Hajj 2026 arrangements.

Key Mandates for Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs) for Hajj 2026:

Mandatory deposit of 100% of the Hajj package amount.

Use of the Saudi e-wallet system for deposits.

Strict compliance with three critical deadlines in December 2025.

Securing and providing proof of Service Contracts (Land/Plot and Services).

Risk of being shifted to the Government Scheme or facing a total ban.

II. The DHCs Scheme and Unwavering Financial Compliance

The financial requirements for Hajj 2026 are the most rigorous yet, designed to filter out non-serious or under-capitalized Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs). The core of this requirement revolves around the e-wallet system and the full deposit mandate.

A. Understanding the DHCs Designation

The term DHCs is integral to the current mechanism for Hajj 2026. Every authorized Private Hajj Organizer (PHOs) is designated as a DHCs Hajj Organizer for the purpose of quota allocation and financial tracking. To remain a "successful DHCs Hajj Organizer" (کامیاب حج آپریٹرز), compliance with all requirements is mandatory. The failure to comply by the stipulated deadline effectively means the Private Hajj Organizer (PHOs) loses their DHCs code/quota, jeopardizing their ability to serve pilgrims during Hajj 2026.

B. The E-Wallet and 100% Financial Requirement

The most critical financial instruction for the پرائیویٹ حج آپریٹرز (منظمین) is the absolute requirement to deposit the entirety of the package cost.

The Stipulation: All Hajj Organizers are commanded to deposit 100% of the Hajj package amount (100 فیصد رقم) for their entire allocated quota directly into their respective, designated DHCs e-wallet accounts.

The Mechanism: This use of the e-wallet is a measure introduced to align with Saudi regulations for Hajj 2026, ensuring that the funds for pilgrim services—accommodation, transportation, and other amenities—are secured and verifiable well ahead of time. This protects the pilgrims from potential service failures caused by the Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs) facing last-minute financial hurdles.

This full deposit by the DHCs Hajj Organizer is a guarantee of solvency and operational capability. Any Private Hajj Organizer (PHOs) who attempts to circumvent this mandatory 100% of the Hajj package amount deposit is automatically flagged for non-compliance for Hajj 2026.

III. Critical Deadlines for Hajj 2026 Operations

The announcement highlights not one, but three distinct and crucial deadlines that the Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs) must observe. Missing any of these will trigger the penal clauses for the Hajj 2026 season.

A. The Ultimate Application Submission Deadline: December 31, 2025

The final date for the submission of Hajj 2026 applications by all Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs) is established as December 31, 2025. While this is the ultimate cut-off, it is implicitly dependent on the two earlier, more operational deadlines. No application from any پرائیویٹ حج آپریٹرز (منظمین) will be considered valid unless the preceding service contract and financial proofs are fully settled.

B. Service Contract Deadline: December 21, 2025

The integrity of the Hajj 2026 experience hinges on secure arrangements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Requirement: As per the detailed Hajj Policy 2026, the Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs) are required to finalize and execute all private Service Contracts related to land/plot and services (مزید برآں پرائیویٹ حج سروسز کے متعلق زمین/پلاٹ اور سروسز کے کنٹریکٹ کرانے کی آخری تاریخ) by the deadline of December 21, 2025.

Significance: This ensures that confirmed accommodation and necessary ground services are in place, preventing the last-minute chaos that can plague pilgrim arrangements. A successful DHCs Hajj Organizer must furnish these contracts to prove their arrangements are secured for Hajj 2026.

C. Proof of Compliance Deadline: December 15, 2025 (The Most Critical Deadline)

The earliest deadline is arguably the most decisive. The Ministry demands proof of the executed Service Contracts (the ones due by December 21) must be submitted to them by an even earlier date.

Crucial Stipulation: Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs) who fail to provide proof of the service/land contract to the Ministry by December 15, 2025, will be unable to transfer the quota/DHCs code.

This short window between December 15th (proof submission deadline) and December 21st (contract execution deadline) necessitates immediate action by every پرائیویٹ حج آپریٹرز (منظمین). Failure to meet the December 15th deadline automatically disqualifies the Private Hajj Organizer (PHOs) from retaining their status as a successful DHCs Hajj Organizer for Hajj 2026.

IV. Consequence of Non-Payment and Non-Compliance

The section on Consequence of Non-Payment (عدم ادائیگی کی صورت میں) is particularly severe and detailed, underscoring the government's zero-tolerance policy towards defaulting Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs) for Hajj 2026.

A. Automatic Transfer to the Government Scheme

The immediate operational penalty for missing the December 15th deadline for proof of Service Contracts is the involuntary transfer of the quota.

Quota Loss: The failing Private Hajj Organizer (PHOs) (a non-compliant DHCs Hajj Organizer) will forfeit their allocated quota.

Transfer: This quota will be immediately transferred to the Government Scheme (سرکاری سکیم). This is an irrevocable step, meaning the Private Hajj Organizer (PHOs) loses their right to operate for Hajj 2026 under the private sector.

No Exceptions: The rule is clear: failure to provide proof of the necessary Service Contracts means the Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs) cannot remain a "successful DHCs Hajj Organizer" and must be integrated into the Government Scheme.

B. Severe Penalties for Financial Default (Non-Payment)

Financial default, specifically failing to deposit the 100% of the Hajj package amount into the e-wallet by the final deadline, triggers a cascade of financial and legal consequences for the پرائیویٹ حج آپریٹرز (منظمین):

Suspension of Guarantees: All financial guarantees related to the defaulting Private Hajj Organizer (PHOs) will be immediately suspended (عدم ادائیگی کی صورت میں تمام ذمہ داری متعلقہ حج آپریٹرز پر ہوگی).

Quota Recovery: The process of suspending the successful quota (کامیاب DHC حج آپریٹرز سکیم) and recovering the guaranteed amount (موزوں رقم) will commence against the unsuccessful Hajj Organizer.

License Suspension and Permanent Ban: The unsuccessful Hajj Organizer (ناکام حج آپریٹرز) will face not only the suspension of their license but also a permanent and total ban from all future Hajj operations (حج عمل). This permanently removes the Private Hajj Organizer (PHOs) from the roster of accredited organizations for Hajj 2026 and beyond.

Legal Action and Asset Confiscation: Further, severe legal action will be initiated, including the potential confiscation or recovery of assets to cover losses (تمام ذمہ داری متعلقہ حج آپریٹرز پر ہوگی), stressing that the legal liability rests entirely with the defaulting Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs).

C. Transparency and Public Notification

The announcement also suggests an element of public accountability. Details of those involved in the agreement who subsequently default will be made public (جن پر داخلہ شدہ تھے، ان کو شریک کر دیا جائے گا). This public notification serves as a mechanism to expose non-compliant Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs) and protect future pilgrims from engaging with organizations that failed to meet the stringent requirements of Hajj 2026. Every DHCs Hajj Organizer must recognize the high stakes involved.

V. Conclusion and Final Urging for Hajj 2026 Compliance

The Hajj 2026 preparations are at a critical juncture. The Ministry’s urgent circular to all Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs) emphasizes that all deadlines—December 15, December 21, and December 31, 2025—are absolute and non-negotiable. The financial stability, proven by the deposit of 100% of the Hajj package amount into the e-wallet, and the physical security of pilgrim services, confirmed through the Service Contracts, are the two pillars of operation for a successful DHCs Hajj Organizer.

Any پرائیویٹ حج آپریٹرز (منظمین) who delays or fails to meet these obligations must be prepared for the immediate and permanent dissolution of their operating rights for Hajj 2026 and the subsequent implementation of severe legal and financial penalties under the clause for Consequence of Non-Payment. The responsibility lies solely with the Private Hajj Organizers (PHOs) to ensure that the sacred journey of Hajj 2026 is not compromised by financial or logistical shortcomings.

Contact for Hajj Group Organizers (HGO):

Phone/Fax: 9207519

Department: HGO (Hajj Group Organizers)