Overseas Pakistanis intending to perform Hajj this year will now experience expedited passport issuance, thanks to a newly devised policy.
Media reports confirm that the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has taken steps to accelerate the clearance process for overseas Pakistanis applying for passports.
Under the new policy, clearance will be granted within seven days. If clearance is not issued within this timeframe, it will be assumed to have been given. Once clearance is obtained, overseas Pakistanis participating in Hajj through the private Hajj scheme will be issued temporary passports. Sources indicate that the Directorate of Immigration and Passport has been notified about the urgency of this matter, as reported by Samaa.
Previously, delays in passport issuance hindered the biometric verification process and caused overall delays for pilgrims. This policy addresses such issues, particularly for overseas Pakistanis with dual citizenship, who previously had to wait months to receive their passports.
Hajj is scheduled to commence in June this year, with the government of Pakistan securing approximately 179,000 seats. The authorities have introduced a Short Hajj package for pilgrims, and the Sponsorship Scheme also remains valid for this year.
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For the Long Hajj package, which spans 38-42 days with an 8-day stay in Medinah, participants from the South region (Karachi and Sukkhur) will be charged Rs 10,65,000. At the same time, those from other cities (Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, Sialkot, Faisalabad) will pay Rs 10,75,000.
For Sponsorship scheme applicants, the cost is $3765 for the South Region and $3800 for the North Region for the Long Hajj package.
For the Short Hajj package, regular applicants will pay Rs 11,40,000 for the South region and Rs 11,50,000 for the North region, lasting 20-25 days under this scheme.
For the Sponsorship Scheme, Short Hajj costs $4015 USD for the South region and $4050 for the North region.
