The federal cabinet has approved the Hajj Policy 2026, introducing major changes to how the Hajj quota will be distributed.

Under this new policy, the quota for the government Hajj scheme has been increased to 70 percent, while private Hajj tour operators will now receive 30 percent of the total quota.

Sources mentioned that the initial proposal had suggested a 40 percent quota for the government and 60 percent for the private sector.

However, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif personally intervened and directed that the government’s share be raised to 70 percent. In 2025, Pakistan’s total Hajj quota was 179,210 and it was equally divided between the government and private sectors. But due to serious mismanagement, over 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims could not perform Hajj that year.

The updated policy aims to provide better supervision, more transparency, and easier access for those choosing the government scheme.

Sources also said that the collection of Hajj 2026 expenses is likely to begin in the first week of August. The expenses will be collected in two instalments. The first instalment, expected in August, will be between Rs500,000 and Rs550,000. Only those who have completed their registration for Hajj 2026 will be allowed to submit their payments.

Sources added that once the full number of required payments is received as per the available quota, no further collections will be made for Hajj 2026.