Govt extends deadline for second instalment of Hajj dues

Saudi Ministry of Health has issued medical guidelines setting out conditions that disqualify applicants from Hajj

The federal government has extended the deadline for submitting Hajj dues by three days, giving intending pilgrims a final opportunity to pay the second instalment of their dues.

According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Muhammad Umar Butt, applicants must deposit the required dues by November 19. He said that failure to submit the second instalment will result in the cancellation of Hajj application.

Earlier, Saturday was the last day to deposit the payments. The Ministry of Religious Affairs had announced that all nominated banks would remain open on Saturday to facilitate applicants of the 2026 Hajj scheme in paying their second instalment of dues.

The ministry also urged intending pilgrims to receive a computerised receipt after depositing their dues. This is to avoid any inconvenience or potential issues with pilgrims’ application, ensuring a smooth process.

The government scheme sends Pakistani citizens to perform Hajj, providing a roadmap of all steps that must be completed in the process. The government also provides guidance and packages to facilitate citizens during their journey. The scheme includes the traditional 38 to 42-day packages, as well as a shorter 20 to 25-day option, with estimated costs expected to range between Rs1.15 million and Rs1.25 million.

The first phase of the scheme kicked off in early August this year, receiving more than 70,000 submissions from eager Pakistanis. The second phase started on August 11, with applicants advised to hold on to their passports until November 26, 2025, at the least. The Hajj scheme functions on a first-come, first-served basis. With the payment of dues complete, successful applicants will be able to begin their sacred journey.

A day earlier, Saudi Arabia imposed strict medical conditions for Hajj 2026, barring a wide range of seriously ill pilgrims from performing the Hajj and introducing a deportation policy for those who arrive in an unfit condition. According to the Saudi Ministry of Religious Affairs, any pilgrim found medically unfit will be sent back to their home country, and the cost of repatriation will be borne by the pilgrim.

The Saudi Ministry of Health has issued detailed medical guidelines setting out conditions that disqualify applicants from Hajj. The ministry said that individuals with kidney diseases, including those on dialysis, will not be permitted to perform Hajj in 2026. It added that heart patients who are unable to endure physical exertion are also barred.

Pilgrims suffering from chronic lung or liver diseases, severe neurological or psychiatric conditions, weak memory or dementia, and other significant disabilities, will also be prohibited.

Restrictions have additionally been placed on the elderly suffering from severe age-related illnesses, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Pregnant women and those diagnosed with whooping cough, tuberculosis or viral haemorrhagic fevers are also disallowed from travelling for Hajj. Cancer patients have likewise been declared ineligible under the new guidelines.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs said medical officers will have the authority to stop unfit individuals from travelling before departure. Saudi monitoring teams will verify the authenticity of fitness certificates, ensuring that only pilgrims meeting essential health standards proceed to the holy sites.