Federal Cabinet approves Hajj Policy and Plan 2027-2030 with focus on incorporating digitalization

The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the “first” four-year policy and plan for the Haj, ordering authorities to complete the digitalization of the operation to ensure “better” facilities for pilgrims, according to the state broadcaster. Radio Pakistan reported.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today chaired the federal cabinet meeting where participants were briefed in detail on the latest long-term Haj policy.

Cabinet members were told that the new policy was designed to improve operations and provide better facilities to pilgrims, and that standard operating procedures and other regulatory frameworks would be developed for its implementation. In addition, modifications would be made to it, as necessary, to keep it aligned with Saudi laws and regulations.

To ensure affordability, the cabinet also approved the introduction of a Sharia-compliant savings scheme to enable aspiring pilgrims to benefit from a savings scheme to perform the Haj in the future.

The meeting was informed that under the latest policy, aspiring pilgrims could register for the Haj in any year up to 2030, allowing the ministry to prepare a priority waiting list.

Cabinet members were further informed that the entire Haj management system was being digitized to support online payment mechanisms, with complaints management and tracking systems also being introduced.

Under the newly approved policy, the cabinet was told that separate quotas would be allocated for government and private Haj plans, including options for a short and long stay.

The policy also called for training for pilgrims, takaful arrangements and emergency response mechanisms.

The cabinet ordered authorities to appoint Haj Moavineen “according to his merits” through a transparent mechanism. Furthermore, he directed that third-party validation of both government and private Haj operations should also be ensured to facilitate the pilgrims.

The cabinet also praised Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and his team for the successful management of this year’s pilgrimage.

Read: Saudi Arabia allows Hajj to 12-year-olds

The cabinet also approved a policy to outsource services at the Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Center and the Regional Blood Center in Islamabad to improve citizens’ access to healthcare, the implementation of which will be carried out by the Ministry of National Health Services.

The cabinet members were also briefed on the performance of Pakistan Railways, including the fact that its revenue increased from Rs 95 billion in 2024-25 to over Rs 115 billion in the last fiscal year, registering an increase of 24.19%, driven mainly by transport revenue.

Officials said railways’ transport revenue increased by over Rs 8 billion, other revenue by Rs 7 billion and property and land revenue by Rs 6 billion. Meeting participants were informed that revenue from passenger services increased by 3.37% during the same period.

They were further informed that in addition to improvements in railway operations, significant progress had also been made in freight logistics.