Pakistan offers refunds, substitutes to Hajj applicants unable to proceed in 2026
ISLAMABAD: Hajj applicants can seek a refund or nominate a blood relative to perform the next year’s pilgrimage in their stead if they are unable to proceed further due to any emergencies, Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry announced on Sunday, in major relief for intending pilgrims.
Pakistan has been allocated a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026. Of these, around 118,000 seats have been allocated to the government scheme and the rest to private tour operators.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s religious affairs minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the country has filled its entire quota of 179,210 Hajj pilgrims under both the government and private schemes.
Under the government scheme, applicants deposited a first installment of Rs500,000 ($1,764) or Rs550,000 ($1,941) depending on the package in August while the remaining dues will be collected in November.
