Haj 2025: A journey of faith, comfort

Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and the diligent supervision of Federal Minister for Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, the Government Haj Scheme for 88,380 pilgrims is being elevated to unprecedented heights to ensure a seamless and spiritually enriching pilgrimage. Key initiatives have been implemented to enhance the overall pilgrim experience.

The Pakistani Government’s Haj scheme offers the lowest-cost Haj package globally, providing superior facilities compared to both public and private sector Haj programs worldwide. To further enhance accessibility, the Short Haj Scheme was introduced for the first-time last year, attracting 17,000 pilgrims in 2024, with registrations increasing to 21,000 in 2025. This initiative ensures affordability without compromising on essential services.

Pilgrims are now given the option to choose between single, double, or triple-bed rooms at an additional cost, allowing for personalized comfort. Additionally, family rooms are provided free of charge wherever possible, enabling families to stay together conveniently. This enhancement ensures a more comfortable and cohesive experience for pilgrims traveling with loved ones.

Due to the non-uniform nature of buildings in Makkah, accommodations are allocated based on pilgrim profiling, ensuring optimal convenience. However, assignments are ultimately randomized while maintaining integration with flight schedules and departure points. This systematic approach balances fairness with logistical efficiency.

To minimise the risk of lost belongings, unique, standardised luggage has been provided to all pilgrims, designed to be easily identifiable even from a distance. Additionally, Mina bags have been introduced to discourage pilgrims from carrying large bags into Mina, reducing congestion and inconvenience for others.

For the first time in the history of the Government Haj Scheme, air-conditioned tents with gypsum board partitions and sofa beds have been introduced in Mina. These sofa beds feature head partitions, which help prevent the spread of communicable diseases, allergies, and bad breath. Overhead shelves have also been installed to store Mina bags, effectively addressing space constraints in the tents.

This year, 56% of pilgrims will be accommodated in Old Mina, while 44% will stay in New Mina. Transportation in Mashair will be facilitated by 73% train usage and 27% bus usage, ensuring smooth mobility for all pilgrims.

For the second consecutive year, 100% of pilgrims will be housed in Madina Markazia, ensuring proximity to the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi). The accommodations in Madinah range from 3 to 5-star buildings, while Makkah stays include iconic structures such as Hiddaya Towers and Rayyan Towers, among other highly rated facilities.

Pilgrims will benefit from modern, air-conditioned buses for Salwat transportation, ensuring comfortable commutes between their residences and the Haram Sharif. Additionally, an exceptionally diverse and rich menu has been curated, catering to the varied taste preferences of pilgrims from different regions of Pakistan, ensuring a satisfying dining experience for all.

To safeguard the health and well-being of pilgrims, around 400 medical and paramedical officers are deployed across dedicated healthcare facilities. These include one well equipped hospital and nine dispensaries in Makkah, along with one hospital and two dispensaries in Madinah. In collaboration with Saudi German Hospital and other leading medical institutions, this robust healthcare network ensures 24/7 emergency care, routine medical assistance, and prompt response to health concerns, providing pilgrims with peace of mind throughout their journey.

A dedicated team of 1,200 Pakistan-based staff and 600 Saudi-based local welfare personnel works tirelessly in coordination with Service Provider Company Al Rajhi to assist pilgrims at every stage of their journey. From airport assistance and accommodation logistics to transportation coordination to Haramain, this extensive support network ensures smooth operations. Additionally, staff members are readily available to address food arrangements, luggage handling, and any complaints, guaranteeing a hassle-free and memorable Haj experience for all pilgrims.

The Pakistani Government’s Haj scheme continues to set new benchmarks in affordability, comfort, and logistical efficiency. Through innovative measures such as air-conditioned Mina tents, family-friendly accommodations, optimized luggage systems, and high-quality transportation, the program ensures a seamless and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage experience. These enhancements demonstrate a strong commitment to facilitating Haj with maximum convenience at minimal cost. These measures reflect the government’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing pilgrim comfort, safety, and spiritual fulfillment while maintaining the highest standards of service excellence.

Abdul Wahab Soomro is Director General Haj, Pakistan Haj Mission, Saudi Arabia.