Pakistan government announced on Monday new regulations for Hajj 2025, making clearance mandatory for pilgrims purchasing private Hajj packages worth over PKR 3 million.

These applicants will undergo scrutiny by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), security agencies, and the Hajj Policy Formulation Committee (HPFC).

According to a notification from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, a focal person has been appointed to ensure compliance. Deputy Director IT Muhammad Hakeem Khattak will oversee the process, and private Hajj companies have been directed to submit detailed break-ups of packages exceeding PKR 3 million.

The data of pilgrims opting for these high-end packages will be shared with the FBR and other agencies for asset verification and tax compliance. The ministry will also regulate and approve the costs of such packages to align them with market standards, officials said.

‘Step aims to bring transparency’

“This step aims to bring transparency to the private Hajj scheme while ensuring that profits are reasonable,” Ministry of Religious Affairs spokesperson Umar Butt told Nukta. “It’s part of broader reforms by the FBR to regulate the sector.”

Butt added that private Hajj packages have been streamlined, with the lowest packages now at par with government Hajj costs. Among the nine private packages introduced for Hajj 2025, the most expensive is PKR 2.15 million. Additional facilities pushing the cost beyond PKR 3 million will automatically trigger reporting to authorities.

Government sources indicated that many individuals who opt for premium Hajj packages fail to declare their income or pay taxes. The initiative is also in line with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) requirements, officials said.

Industry reaction

Mohammad Saeed, spokesperson for the Hajj Organizers Association of Pakistan (HOAP), expressed conditional support for the policy, acknowledging that it addresses concerns raised during parliamentary committee discussions.

“The objective is to verify the sources of income and tax compliance for those purchasing luxury packages,” Saeed told Nukta. “However, we foresee challenges, such as people splitting payments to avoid scrutiny or foreign sponsors encountering difficulty in meeting these requirements.”

He noted that while the rules mandate data sharing with the ministry and FBR, they do not bar individuals from performing Hajj. Instead, authorities can investigate financial irregularities post-Hajj.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs said that private operators have introduced nine packages ranging from PKR 1.07 million to PKR 2.15 million. Companies offering premium packages will also need ministry approval for pricing.

Critics warn that the regulations could create loopholes, as individuals may find ways to avoid scrutiny by tailoring package costs. Despite these concerns, ministry officials remain confident that the measures will bring much-needed oversight to the private Hajj scheme.

The regulations aim to ensure transparency, encourage tax compliance, and prevent financial malpractice, aligning the scheme with international standards.