Women will not be allowed to perform Hajj without approval from their husbands or parents, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs on Tuesday.
The Saudi government has allocated a total of 179,210 Hajj slots for Pakistan this year. Of these, 89,602 pilgrims will travel under the government scheme, while the remainder will go through private tour operators, as outlined by the ministry.
The 2025 Hajj Policy, according to Dawn, states that women may travel alone for Hajj under specific conditions set by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). According to the policy, women must obtain permission from their parents if unmarried, or their husbands if married.
Additionally, they must travel with a group of trustworthy female pilgrims and face no risk to their dignity.
Previously, Pakistani women were prohibited from undertaking the pilgrimage alone. However, in 2021, Saudi Arabia lifted this restriction as part of its broader reforms to enhance women’s rights.
The policy also stipulates that children under 12 are not allowed for Hajj. Furthermore, all pilgrims must be vaccinated with vaccines approved by Saudi authorities.
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