ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved Pakistan’s first four-year Hajj Policy and Plan for 2027-2030, introducing a long-term framework aimed at improving pilgrimage management through digitalisation, enhanced services and advance planning for intending pilgrims.
The approval came during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who also briefed ministers on his recent visits to Iran and Türkiye and discussed efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and attract foreign investment.
According to an official statement, the cabinet praised Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and his team for the successful management of this year’s Hajj arrangements.
The newly approved policy replaces the previous practice of annual Hajj policies with a four-year framework covering the period from 2027 to 2030.
Under the policy, intending pilgrims will be able to register in advance for Hajj in any year up to 2030 without interruption, enabling better planning for both applicants and the authorities.
The framework also provides for the complete digitalisation of the Hajj management system, including registration, operational procedures and financial transactions, with all payments to be made through digital platforms.
The policy retains separate quotas for the government and private Hajj schemes while introducing both long and short Hajj packages to offer greater flexibility to pilgrims.
The cabinet also directed that Hajj assistants be appointed through a transparent process strictly based on merit.
PM briefs cabinet on Iran, Türkiye visits
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed the cabinet on his recent visit to Türkiye, expressing confidence that the longstanding brotherly relationship between Pakistan and Türkiye would continue to deepen across multiple sectors.
He informed ministers that he had travelled to Tehran to attend the funeral ceremony of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, where he conveyed Pakistan’s condolences and solidarity with the Iranian leadership and people.
The prime minister later travelled to Türkiye with members of the federal cabinet to attend a business conference attended by Turkish investors.
According to the statement, Pakistani officials highlighted investment opportunities in the power sector, privatisation of electricity distribution companies (DISCOs), transmission infrastructure, mining, minerals and energy.
Sharif said Turkish investors expressed strong interest in investing in Pakistan.
He added that he also met leading Turkish business groups and invited them to invest in Pakistan’s energy, mining, minerals, infrastructure and other priority sectors.
The prime minister said both countries had made significant efforts to strengthen economic cooperation and investment, expressing confidence that these initiatives would produce positive results.
He also informed the cabinet that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had invited him for a meeting, describing their discussions as constructive and expressing optimism that bilateral relations would continue to grow stronger.
Tribute to martyred PAF officer
Earlier in the meeting, the prime minister expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of Pakistan Air Force Group Captain Asim Tariq, who was killed while attempting to protect a woman in Islamabad.
Sharif offered prayers for the departed officer and expressed condolences to his family. He said the suspect had been arrested and vowed that the accused would be brought to justice in accordance with the law.
The cabinet also paid tribute to security forces for killing 15 militants during a counterterrorism operation in Balochistan.
Special prayers were offered for the martyrs at the conclusion of the meeting.
Health outsourcing policy approved
Separately, the cabinet approved a policy for outsourcing services at isolation hospitals and regional blood centres.
The Ministry of National Health Services was directed to ensure that the outsourcing process is carried out in accordance with the prescribed rules and regulations, the official statement said.