The Ministry of Religious Affairs is preparing to start collecting payments from pilgrims registered under the Government Hajj Scheme 2026, with the process expected to kick off in early August, according to officials.
Every year, thousands of Pakistanis apply to perform Hajj through the government scheme, and this time is no different. So far, over 450,000 people have signed up, even though Pakistan’s total Hajj quota is limited to about 179,000 slots under both government and private schemes.
To manage the high demand, the ministry plans to follow the same payment method used in the past. Pilgrims will pay their expenses in two installments, with the first one estimated to be between Rs. 500,000 and Rs. 550,000. Only those who have already registered can pay this amount, and payments will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the quota is filled.
Once enough funds have been collected to match the available slots, the ministry will stop taking payments. Meanwhile, talks are underway to secure more slots for Pakistanis in line with the country’s population and increasing interest in Hajj. Officials hope the quota can be raised to 230,000 to accommodate more people.
This step marks an important milestone for many families planning their spiritual journey for next year. Pilgrims are advised to keep a close eye on official announcements and make sure they follow the payment guidelines to secure their place.
