ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the Federal Cabinet to discuss a range of crucial national issues.
Among the key decisions were the approval of the Hajj Policy 2025, the appointment of new members to the Public Private Partnership Authority, and important financial and infrastructure agreements aimed at strengthening the country’s governance.
Hajj Policy 2025
The Cabinet approved the Hajj Policy for 2025, which introduces several reforms to improve the pilgrimage experience for Pakistani Muslims. A major shift in the policy is the decision to restrict children under 12 years old from traveling for Hajj this year.
The government will also implement a computerized balloting system to allocate the Hajj quotas fairly and transparently.
The quotas will be split equally—50:50—between government and private sector arrangements, with a special 1,000 seats reserved for those facing extreme hardships.
Further, 300 seats will be specifically set aside for laborers and low-income employees, who can register through the Workers’ Welfare Fund or the Employees’ Old Age Benefit Institute.
The policy also includes the introduction of the “Road to Makkah” facility at the Islamabad and Karachi international airports, which will streamline the travel process for pilgrims.
To ensure high-quality services, Hajj group organizers will now be required to sign service agreements with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and a new position of Nazeem (supervisor) will be appointed to oversee service delivery. Additionally, one moderator will be appointed for every 100 pilgrims to facilitate their needs during the pilgrimage.
The government also announced an increase in compensation for those who are injured or die during Hajj. Families of the deceased will receive compensation ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, while injured pilgrims will be compensated with Rs 10 lakh.
In a bid to ensure fairness, the Federal Cabinet directed that priority be given to first-time pilgrims in the Hajj balloting process.
A specially developed Hajj management application will be introduced to assist in the process, and training programs for Hajj staff will be organized to ensure better service delivery.
Appointments to Public Private Partnership Authority
The Cabinet also approved the appointment of new members to the Public Private Partnership Authority, a body crucial for driving the country’s infrastructure development through public-private partnerships. The newly appointed members are Saeed Iqbal, Moazzam Ahmed, Madiha Khalid, Usman Haider, and Muhammad Sajjad Farooqui, who are expected to enhance the effectiveness of the authority’s work.
Financial Reforms and Key Approvals
In the financial sphere, the Cabinet approved a significant move to align Pakistan’s financial system with global standards. On the recommendation of the Ministry of Finance, the Cabinet approved the transition of Pakistan’s Foreign Commercial Financing Facility from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), reflecting international best practices in financial benchmarking.
Additionally, the Cabinet endorsed the Jammu and Kashmir State Property Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, a key step in maintaining administrative and financial stability in the region. The budget was recommended by the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Maritime Sector Developments
The Cabinet also approved an important agreement in the maritime sector between the Directorate General of Ports and Shipping and the Maritime Classification Society. This agreement will focus on the certification and classification of ships, a vital step in strengthening Pakistan’s maritime operations and ensuring the safety of the nation’s shipping industry.