Islamabad: The Federal Cabinet has approved Pakistan’s first four-year Hajj Policy and Plan for 2027-2030, marking a shift from the previous one-year policies. This new policy aims to enhance long-term planning, improve operations, and provide better facilities for pilgrims.

According to Radio Pakistan, the approval was granted during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The policy allows for continuous registration for Hajj until 2030, establishing a priority waiting list for intending pilgrims. A Shariah-compliant savings scheme is also being introduced to assist pilgrims financially. The policy includes a complete digitization of the Hajj management system, encompassing digital payment and complaint mechanisms, as well as monitoring.

Separate quotas have been allocated for government and private Hajj schemes, and the policy introduces both long and short-duration Hajj programs. Training for pilgrims, Takaful arrangements, and emergency response mechanisms are also part of the new framework. The cabinet emphasized the transparent appointment of Hajj Muavineen and mandated third-party validation of Hajj operations.

In addition to the Hajj policy, the cabinet approved a policy to outsource services at the Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Centre and the Regional Blood Centre in Islamabad to improve healthcare services. The meeting also highlighted Pakistan Railways’ financial growth, with revenue increasing by 24.19 percent, driven by improvements in freight and passenger services.