Hajj Quota 2023 Increased For Pakistani Hajj Pilgrims

Web Desk — For Hajj 2023, Saudi Arabia has more than doubled Pakistan’s Hajj quota to 179,210 pilgrims. In other words, Riyadh has restored Pakistan’s quota to pre-pandemic levels.

Saudi Arabia, as per the annual Hajj agreement, will also remove the age cap on pilgrims. Pilgrims of any age group will be allowed to come for Hajj.

Bank account condition

Along with relaxations, the Saudi government has introduced some new restrictions this year for Pakistani pilgrims including the mandatory presence of bank accounts for all Hajj applicants.

Pilgrims must also possess machine-readable passports in line with international standards and must carry an expiry date past December 26, 2023.

According to the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs, Hajj applications would likely be called by the end of February and the religious affairs minister would announce the final Hajj Policy 2023 after the cabinet’s approval.

On the hand, Religious Affairs Minister Mufti Abdul Shakoor, who is currently visiting Saudi Arabia, has requested the Saudi authorities to further reduce the mandatory Hajj expenses.