Around 250,000 people from Pakistan have signed up for Hajj 2026, as the official registration deadline ended today, July 9, according to state media reports.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs had started the registration process last month. People were able to register either online or by visiting one of the 15 designated banks across the country. There was no registration fee required, making it easier for many to apply.
Those who have successfully registered will later have the option to choose between going under the government-run Hajj scheme or through a private Hajj operator. This early registration step is especially important for overseas Pakistanis and for those who could not participate in the private Hajj scheme this year due to various reasons.
In 2025, Pakistan was given a quota of 179,210 pilgrims by Saudi Arabia. However, many of the private Hajj slots remained unfilled. This was mainly because of delays in payments and technical problems in the application process. By registering early this time, the government aims to avoid similar issues and make the Hajj journey smoother for Pakistani pilgrims in 2026.
