The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced that all designated branches of authorized banks will remain open on March 25-26, which falls on a Saturday and Sunday, to collect Hajj application forms and dues for Hajj 2023.
This decision has been taken to facilitate intending pilgrims and the SBP has directed 14 authorized banks to keep their branches open throughout the country. The designated branches will remain open from 9 am to 2 pm on both days.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has authorized 14 banks to collect application forms and dues from intending pilgrims for Hajj 2023 from March 16 to March 31.
The authorized banks include National Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank, United Bank, MCB Bank, Allied Bank, Bank of Punjab, Bank Alfalah, Zarai Taraqiati Bank, Faysal Bank, Askari Bank, Bank Al-Habib, Habib Metropolitan Bank, Soneri Bank, and Meezan Bank.
Earlier this month, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet approved the Hajj policy 2023 and agreed to provide foreign exchange cover of $90 million.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony presented a summary to this effect before the cabinet committee meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Ishaq Dar.
The hajj quota allocated to Pakistan for the year 2023 is 179,210, which would be distributed between the government and private hajj schemes at a ratio of 50:50.
A quota of 50% each would be reserved for the sponsorship scheme for both the government and private hajj schemes. For the year 2023, the tentative hajj package for the Northern region is Rs1,175,000 and for the South Region is Rs1,165,000.
The authorized banks for collecting Hajj application forms and dues for Hajj 2023 are:
- National Bank of Pakistan
- Habib Bank
- United Bank
- MCB Bank
- Allied Bank
- Bank of Punjab
- Bank Alfalah
- Zarai Taraqiati Bank
- Faysal Bank
- Askari Bank
- Bank Al-Habib
- Habib Metropolitan Bank
- Soneri Bank
- Meezan Bank
