As Hajj returns after a brief Covid-enforced hiatus of two years, people from all over the world are preparing to fly to Saudi Arabia to perform one of the most sacred religious duties in Islam. Like everyone else all over the world, Pakistani nationals too will get an opportunity to perform Hajj 2022.
Hajj 2022 Quota for Pakistan
According to the Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry, 81,132 Pakistanis will be able to travel to the sacred land to perform Hajj this year. The number has declined from the last time. The then prime minister Imran Khan had requested the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman to consider increasing the total quota to 200,000 in 2019.
Hajj 2022 Packages in Pakistan
The federal government of Pakistan will bear a portion of the total cost of Hajj this year as well. A large number of people will perform the religious duty at subsidised rates. There are several reports regarding the Hajj prices but the Saudi Arabia government is yet to confirm the details. According to an estimate, public Hajj will cost around somewhere between Rs480,000 – Rs700,000.
People can also opt to choose from private Hajj facilities provided by the authorised travel agents. The Economy package starts from Rs700,000 and goes beyond the Rs1 million benchmark. It all depends upon the type of facilities you choose.
The prices of Hajj during the entire PTI tenure were a lot less than what they are under the new coalition government. This is also other area where the PTI trumps the Shehbaz Sharif-led federal government.
Negative Covid Test for Hajj 2022
All the pilgrims-hopeful will have to get themselves tested negative for Covid-19 within the 72-hour window prior to travelling. People who aren’t fully vaccinated yet would not be allowed to travel. Ideally, the pilgrims must get themselves inoculated with the Booster shot, otherwise the quarantine rules of Saudi Arabia could apply on them.
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