State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday announced that all designated bank branches across the country will remain work on Saturday and Sunday (March 25 and 26) to facilitate Hajj pilgrims to deposit their application forms.
The State Bank of Pakistan announced to keep 14 banks open on Saturday and Sunday in order to accept Hajj applications.
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The development comes a day after the Ministry of Religious Affairs requested the State Bank to issue orders to banks for working on Saturday and Sunday for Hajj applications.
Remember here one thing The last date for submitting Hajj applications is 31st March 2023.
According to the religious ministry, as many as 26,000 applications were received under the regular Government Hajj Scheme.
For the convenience of Hajj applicants, the ministry for religious affairs directed banks to collect fitness certificates from overseas Pakistanis, adding that the overseas Pakistani should make and submit the certificate before taking a Hajj flight.
“Hajj applications can be submitted after receiving the first dose of one of the approved COVID vaccines,” the ministry officials said.
Earlier this month while announcing Hajj Application dates religious minister said, “In the regular Hajj scheme, those who have performed Hajj in the last 5 years will not be allowed to apply, adding that, the age limit for Hajj has been abolished from this year.
Pilgrims in the northern part of Pakistan have to pay Rs1.175 million for Hajj while people in the southern part will be charged Rs1.165 million, he said.
“The Hajj cost in Pakistan is below as compared to India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. On our request, the government of Saudi Arabia has reduced the cost of Hajj for Pakistan,” he said. “Moreover, the Ministry of Finance has pledged an amount of $90 million to facilitate Hajj.”
“The price of Hajj has risen due to rupee devaluation,” the minister said. “Pakistan’s quota for Hajj 2023 is 179,210 pilgrims.”
According to him, pilgrims will avail of train service in Mina and Muzdalifah.
He added that the government was making efforts to provide all possible facilities to pilgrims.
PIA Hajj Operation
As Hajj 2023 Application Process is just to begin Pakistan International Airlines is all set to commence Hajj operations shortly. Earlier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announces its schedule for its flight operations and fares for the Hajj pilgrimage.
According to the notification, the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) will begin pre-Hajj operations from 6th June till 21st May 2023.
The PIA has set an $1180 fare for private Hajj pilgrims.
The airfares for the pilgrims from the Southern region and Northern region are likely to remain in the range of $810 to $1,100 and $860 to $1,150 respectively, according to PIA.
Remember that this time PIA will charge ticket prices in Dollars instead of Rupees.
