Cabinet approves four-year Hajj policy for 2027-2030, digital services for pilgrims

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-chaired the federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the Hajj Policy and Plan 2027-2030, introducing Pakistan’s first-ever four-year Hajj framework aimed at improving long-term planning, operational efficiency and services for pilgrims. The cabinet commended Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and his team for the successful management of this year’s Hajj and was briefed on key features of the new policy, the PM Office said. Under the new framework, intending pilgrims will be able to register once for Hajj up to 2030 instead of submitting annual registrations, allowing authorities to maintain a priority waiting list. The policy also introduces a Shariah-compliant Hajj savings scheme to help prospective pilgrims save for future pilgrimage expenses. The cabinet was informed that the Hajj system will be fully digitised, including payments, complaint management and monitoring mechanisms. The policy also provides for government and private Hajj quotas, long and short Hajj packages, mandatory pilgrim training, and Takaful and emergency response arrangements. The cabinet directed that Hajj assistants be appointed through a transparent, merit-based process and called for third-party validation of both government and private Hajj operations. Separately, the cabinet approved a policy to outsource services at the Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Centre (IHITC) and the Regional Blood Centre (RBC) in Islamabad to improve healthcare delivery. The cabinet also received a briefing on Pakistan Railways’ performance. It was informed that the department’s revenue rose by 24.19%, increasing from Rs95 billion in FY2024-25 to over Rs115 billion in FY2025-26, driven by higher freight, passenger, property and other income. The cabinet praised Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and his team for the improvement. The cabinet also ratified decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases (CCLC) on May 19 and the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on July 2.