The Ministry of Religious Affairs has decided to launch a mandatory training program for Hajj pilgrims starting January 1, ARY News reported.
The decision emerged from a meeting of the Nisab Committee for Hajj Training held in Islamabad. The ministry declared participation in the one-day training session compulsory for all pilgrims and instructed them to attend according to the official schedule.
The ministry said it will share training schedules through the Pak-Hajj 2025 mobile app, the official website, and SMS alerts. The training aims to ensure pilgrims fully understand Hajj rituals and remain informed about administrative procedures.
Officials stated that experienced Haji camp officials, master trainers, and religious scholars will conduct the sessions using multimedia presentations.
Meanwhile, the ministry confirmed that Saudi Arabia has introduced new medical eligibility criteria for Hajj 2026 under guidelines issued by the Saudi Ministry of Health.
Authorities have imposed a complete ban on ailing pilgrims, including those suffering from kidney failure, undergoing dialysis, lung and liver diseases, and cancer.
Pilgrims with severe neurological or psychiatric disorders, memory loss, chronic illnesses, pregnant women, and individuals with tuberculosis, whooping cough, or viral hemorrhagic fever will also not be allowed to perform Hajj.
The ministry warned that authorities will deport medically unfit pilgrims from Saudi Arabia at their own expense. It also announced legal action against doctors who issue false fitness certificates.
Medical officers may stop unfit pilgrims before departure, while Saudi monitoring teams will verify medical documents.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs emphasized that only pilgrims meeting basic health standards will be permitted to undertake the sacred journey.
