90,000 to perform Haj this year under govt scheme: Sardar Yousuf

ISLAMABAD: As many as 90,000 pilgrims are set to visit the holy land under the government scheme as preparations for Haj 2025 flight operations get underway smoothly, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf announced on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, the minister said Haj flights are expected to begin on April 29.

He said: “Preparations, including vaccinations and training, are well underway. Haj training sessions will start on April 8, with pilgrims being briefed on essential health protocols and vaccination requirements.”

The Haj package cost has been set at Rs1,150,000 for short-term pilgrims and Rs1,050,000 for long-term pilgrims, Yousuf added.

The minister also shared that he had met Saudi officials and reviewed the Haj arrangements. He clarified that Umrah visas are typically suspended before Haj to ensure smooth pilgrimage operations. Ahead of the Haj season, Saudi Arabia imposed a temporary visa ban on 14 countries, including Pakistan, sources reported.

The sources say that the visa ban will apply to Umrah, business and family visas, with the restrictions likely to end in mid-June.

With the diplomatic sources saying that the Umrah visa holders can enter Saudi Arabia until April 13, other countries subjected to the visa ban include India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Yemen.

With the possibility of a five-year restriction on staying in Saudi Arabia despite the ban, the sources added that the Saudi government has officially informed Pakistan about this decision. They also mentioned that Pakistani Umrah visa holders have been instructed to return to their country by April 29.

During this period, the national flag carrier — Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) — will transport more than 56,000 Pakistani pilgrims to Saudi Arabia through 280 special flights, belonging to both government and private schemes. Boeing 777 and Airbus 320 aircraft will be used to make the journey more comfortable and organised. PIA’s post-Haj operation will begin on June 12 and will continue until July 10. It may be noted that as many as 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Haj this year.