The Pakistani government has taken a new step to ensure transparency and accountability in the Hajj pilgrimage for 2025. They have decided to closely monitor the sources of income for those pilgrims who choose to perform Hajj under private tour packages, especially those opting for more expensive ones.
Private tour operators are now required to provide detailed information about pilgrims who will be traveling for Hajj 2025 with a package costing over Rs. 3 million. This means that if you are planning to go on Hajj under such a high-cost private scheme, your details will be shared with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), law enforcement agencies, and the Hajj Policy Formulation Committee (HPFC) for a thorough review.
To keep track of this process, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has appointed a focal person who will be responsible for examining the credentials of these pilgrims. The goal is to verify the sources of income, ensuring that the funds used to finance the Hajj packages are legitimate and come from lawful earnings.
While there will be no ban on selecting a private package that costs more than Rs. 3 million, the government will keep a close eye on all such transactions. The data about these pilgrims will be collected by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and FBR. Even after the pilgrimage is completed, the FBR will have the authority to carry out an investigation if needed.
As for the official government Hajj package for 2025, it is estimated to cost between Rs. 1,075,000 and Rs. 1,175,000. However, private tour operators have introduced around nine different packages, with prices starting at Rs. 1.07 million and going up significantly from there. Some of these more expensive packages can go well above Rs. 3 million, leading the government to closely monitor the income sources of those choosing these high-end options.
This move comes as part of the government’s ongoing effort to ensure that all financial dealings related to the Hajj pilgrimage are transparent, and that individuals who choose to spend large sums of money on this religious journey are doing so from legitimate sources of income. By taking these measures, the Pakistani government hopes to promote trust and integrity within the Hajj process and prevent any potential misuse of funds.
