Hajj 2026: Pakistan to Begin Expense Collection in August

Pakistan is preparing to begin collecting expenses for Hajj 2026 starting from the first week of August, according to sources quoted by ARY News. The Ministry of Religious Affairs is finalizing arrangements to ensure a smooth and transparent payment process for pilgrims.

Two Instalments Planned for Hajj 2026 Expenses

Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the Hajj expenses will be collected in two instalments. The first instalment is expected to range between Rs500,000 and Rs550,000. This step is aimed at easing the financial burden on pilgrims by allowing them to pay in phases rather than all at once.

Only those who have already completed official registration for Hajj 2026 will be eligible to submit payments. People who haven’t registered yet will not be considered for the payment process.

Quota-Based Payment Collection

Once the Ministry receives enough payments to meet Pakistan’s Hajj quota, the process of collecting further payments will immediately stop. This is to prevent exceeding the limit set by Saudi authorities and to ensure smooth travel and accommodation arrangements for all selected pilgrims.

Currently, Pakistan’s total Hajj quota stands at 179,210 pilgrims, which includes both government and private Hajj schemes. However, due to the high number of applicants, Pakistan is reportedly seeking an increase in quota to 230,000 pilgrims to match its growing population and demand.

Payments Only Through Authorized Banks

To protect the public from fraud and confusion, the Ministry has clarified that only selected banks authorized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs will be allowed to collect payments. Pilgrims are strongly advised to make their deposits only through these official channels.

So far, over 450,000 Pakistani citizens have registered for Hajj 2026, which clearly shows the strong interest among the public in performing the pilgrimage next year.

In related news, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has confirmed that 18 Pakistani pilgrims died during the recent Hajj 2025 in Saudi Arabia. The deceased included 10 men and 8 women, most of whom were elderly and suffered from health complications like heart disease.

All those who passed away were buried in Jannatul Baqi, one of the most sacred cemeteries in Islam, located in Madinah. The Ministry noted that this year’s death toll is significantly lower compared to Hajj 2024, when 35 Pakistani pilgrims lost their lives.

Over 1.67 Million Performed Hajj This Year

According to official data from Saudi Arabia, 1,673,230 pilgrims participated in Hajj 2025, including 1.5 million international pilgrims from 171 countries. Another 166,654 pilgrims were from within the Kingdom.

Saudi officials also highlighted a balanced gender ratio, with 877,841 men and 795,389 women performing the pilgrimage. This marks one of the most balanced Hajj pilgrimages in terms of gender representation in recent years.

Saudi Arabia Takes Heat Risks Seriously

After the tragic 1,301 deaths during Hajj 2024, mostly caused by extreme heat (temperatures reached 51.8°C / 125°F), Saudi authorities implemented a wide range of safety and cooling measures to protect pilgrims in 2025.

These precautions included:

• Installing more cooling stations at key sites
• Increasing the number of medical response teams
• Expanding shaded and darkened areas
• Implementing strict checks to block unauthorized or illegal pilgrims, which reduced overcrowding significantly

Thanks to these steps, Hajj 2025 was completed with improved safety, smoother crowd control, and a lower death rate compared to the previous year.

As Pakistan moves forward with preparations for Hajj 2026, authorities urge prospective pilgrims to stay updated through official channels, complete registration on time, and only make payments to authorized banks.

With the possibility of an increased Hajj quota and better facilities from both Pakistani and Saudi officials, Hajj 2026 is expected to be more organized and accessible for thousands of hopeful pilgrims.

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