New Hajj Policy for Pakistani Women: Travel Now Requires Family Permission

New Hajj Policy for Pakistani Women: Travel Now Requires Family Permission

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced updated rules for women’s participation in Hajj 2025, introducing conditions for solo travel. Pakistani women can now travel alone for pilgrimage only if they meet specific requirements set by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).

Under the new policy, unmarried women need permission from their parents, while married women require approval from their husbands to perform Hajj. Additionally, women traveling solo must be part of a group of trusted female pilgrims to ensure their safety and uphold dignity during the sacred journey.

Previously, Pakistani women were not allowed to travel alone for Hajj or Umrah. However, recent reforms in Saudi Arabia have eased restrictions, granting women more autonomy in participating in religious rituals.

Other Hajj Policy Highlights

• Children under 12 will not be permitted to participate in Hajj.

• All pilgrims must adhere to vaccination requirements set by Saudi health authorities.

• For 2025, Saudi Arabia has allocated 179,210 Hajj slots to Pakistan:

  • 89,602 pilgrims under the government scheme.

  • Remaining slots will be managed by private tour operators.

The updated policy aims to balance religious traditions with evolving societal norms while ensuring the safety and comfort of pilgrims.