Breaking News: Final 4 Days Remain for Private Hajj Scheme Booking 2025
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has sounded the final call for pilgrims planning to perform Hajj 2025 under the Private Scheme. With only four days remaining before the booking portal closes on October 17 at midnight, thousands of applicants are rushing to secure their spots.
This year, the private Hajj quota has been reduced to 60,000 pilgrims, compared to 90,000 last year, following new guidelines issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The reduction aims to ensure a more organized and comfortable pilgrimage experience.
Officials confirmed that over 44,000 seats have already been booked, while approximately 16,000 remain available. With demand surging, the next few days are expected to see record traffic on the online booking portal.
No Extension Beyond October 17 — Ministry Issues Strict Warning
According to ministry insiders, the Private Hajj Scheme Booking Deadline 2025 will not be extended under any circumstances. The Hajj Portal will be automatically locked after midnight on October 17, and no new registrations or modifications will be accepted.
A spokesperson from the Religious Affairs Ministry stated that “the government will not allow any delay or extension in compliance with Saudi directives.” All registered private Hajj operators have been instructed to wrap up the booking process and submit final data before the deadline.
Officials added that private operators must upload verified documents, payment proofs, and passport copies for each pilgrim to ensure inclusion in the official list.
Government Pushes Awareness Campaign for Last-Minute Applicants
To ensure that no eligible pilgrim misses out, the Minister for Religious Affairs has ordered a province-wide awareness campaign. Posters, radio ads, and social media updates are being rolled out to remind citizens that only four days are left to apply for Hajj 2025 under the private scheme.
In a press briefing, the minister emphasized the importance of completing bookings early, saying:
“We have a limited quota this year. Every deserving pilgrim should act now, because once the portal closes, there will be no second chance.”
This urgency has led to a significant spike in bookings over the past week, particularly from major cities like Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, and Multan.
Read More: Punjab Govt Reduces Solar Power Electricity Rates by Rs. 2 per Unit
Private Operators Record 23,000 New Bookings in 25 Days
Sources reveal that during the last 25 days, private Hajj operators successfully booked 23,000 new pilgrims, showing remarkable coordination despite the reduced quota.
Currently, 38,346 pilgrims have been allotted seats under the private quota. Additionally, 21,654 deferred pilgrims from last year are being accommodated this season as a goodwill measure by the Government of Pakistan.
Officials have praised the efficiency of several top-performing operators who facilitated bookings swiftly while maintaining transparency and digital recordkeeping.
Why the Quota Was Reduced to 60,000 This Year
According to senior ministry officials, the decision to reduce the private Hajj quota from 90,000 to 60,000 was taken after consultations with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Saudi authorities have been gradually revising global pilgrim allocations to improve crowd management, health facilities, and transport arrangements. The government believes this move will make the pilgrimage smoother and more comfortable for all participants.
The Public Hajj Scheme remains unaffected, with over 89,000 pilgrims expected to travel under the government’s official arrangements.
Private Hajj Packages and Cost Adjustments
In addition to the quota reduction, private Hajj operators have slightly adjusted package rates this year due to currency fluctuations and accommodation upgrades near the Haram Sharif.
Despite rising operational costs, many operators are offering flexible payment options and customized Hajj packages to cater to middle-income applicants. The ministry has advised all pilgrims to book only with authorized Hajj operators, whose names are listed on the official ministry website to avoid scams and unauthorized agents.
Private Hajj Scheme Booking 2025
During the announcement, the Ministry also shared details relevant to ongoing reforms under:
- Pakistan Private Hajj Policy 2025, which ensures transparent allocation of quotas among licensed operators.
- Hajj Online Registration Pakistan, a digital platform allowing pilgrims to track applications in real time.
- Private Hajj Package Rates 2025, which highlights cost transparency and options for different budget categories.
These updates are part of the government’s effort to digitize the entire Hajj process, ensuring a hassle-free experience for every pilgrim.
Read More: Are Schools Closed on Tuesday in Punjab?
Ministry’s Call to Action: Complete Bookings Now
In its final advisory, the Ministry of Religious Affairs reiterated that all bookings must be finalized before the October 17 cutoff. The ministry urged private Hajj operators to accelerate communication with their clients and avoid any last-minute delays that could disqualify applicants.
Pilgrims are also advised to log in to the official Hajj portal, verify their application status, and confirm their payments and documents to secure their spot. Any pending or incomplete forms will automatically be marked invalid once the system closes.
Conclusion: Urgent Reminder for All Prospective Pilgrims
With only four days remaining, the Private Hajj Scheme Booking 2025 has entered its final phase. The reduction in quota, combined with overwhelming demand, means time is running out for thousands still waiting to book.
The Ministry has made it clear: no extension will be provided. Therefore, anyone intending to perform Hajj through the private scheme must complete their registration before October 17 to avoid disappointment.
This year’s Hajj journey symbolizes not just faith, but also the government’s growing focus on digitalization, transparency, and comfort for Pakistani pilgrims.
