Urdu Report Desk
ISLAMABAD, October 9, 2026 — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a joint proposal submitted by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the Ministry of Finance and National Savings to introduce an interest-free Hajj Savings Plan for Pakistani pilgrims.
The initiative aims to help prospective pilgrims plan and save for Hajj in advance in accordance with Islamic principles. The approval has paved the way for the three government institutions to work together on developing the proposed scheme.
Monthly Savings and Digital Facilities
The Ministry of Religious Affairs held an important meeting on Friday under the chairmanship of Federal Secretary Abrar Ahmed Mirza. Officials from the Ministry of Finance, Central National Savings and the Hajj Wing attended the meeting.
Officials were informed that the proposed plan would enable prospective pilgrims to save regularly for their journey to the holy sites.
Under the proposed system, participants would be able to deposit money monthly through digital channels and choose a savings period according to their preferences. The plan would also offer family transfers of funds and withdrawals at any time without deductions.
Financial Planning for Hajj Expenses
The secretary of religious affairs said the primary objective of the Hajj Savings Plan was to help pilgrims organise their finances in time, manage the rising cost of the pilgrimage and make preparations for the journey easier.
He directed the relevant institutions to prepare the scheme’s rules and regulations within two months in accordance with the approved proposal.
Proposed Savings Schemes for Umrah and Religious Visits
The secretary also called for provisions covering an Umrah Savings Scheme and a Religious Visits Savings Scheme alongside the Hajj Savings Fund.
The proposed digital system is intended to modernise financial planning for religious travel and forms part of the government’s broader vision to digitise Hajj arrangements.
Further Details to Be Announced
Details regarding the scheme’s operating procedures, eligibility criteria, savings periods, digital facilities and other requirements will be announced to the public in due course.
The initiative is being developed jointly by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the Ministry of Finance and Central National Savings.
