PM Shehbaz okays Hajj operation reforms, National AI Policy

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved the Hajj Policy 2026, introducing key changes to the distribution of Hajj quotas, ARY News reported, citing sources.

The cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also greenlighted the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2025.

Under the Hajj policy 2026, the government Hajj scheme quota has been increased to 70 percent, while the private Hajj tour operators will now be allocated 30 percent of the total quota.

The Hajj package under the government scheme is expected to cost between Rs11,50,000 and Rs12,50,000 for intending pilgrims.

Sources revealed that an initial summary had proposed a 40% government and 60% private sector quota, but Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif took a personal interest in the matter and directed that the government quota be increased to 70 percent.

In 2025, Pakistan’s total Hajj quota was 179,210, equally divided between the government and private sectors. However, due to significant mismanagement, over 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims were unable to perform Hajj that year.

The revised policy aims to ensure better oversight, transparency, and accessibility for pilgrims opting for the government scheme.

The Federal Cabinet unanimously approved the National AI Policy 2025, designed to create a complete AI ecosystem in Pakistan. The policy aims to democratize access to artificial intelligence, enhance public services, and open up new employment and innovation avenues.

“Our youth are Pakistan’s greatest asset. Providing them with education, skills, and equal opportunities in AI is a top priority,” stated PM Shehbaz Sharif.

The AI policy outlines training 1 million AI professionals by 2030, establishing an AI Innovation Fund and AI Venture Fund to boost private sector involvement, creation of 50,000 AI-driven civic projects and 1,000 local AI products in the next five years.

It also aimed at distributing of 3,000 annual AI scholarships and facilitation of 1,000 research projects, inclusion of women and differently-abled individuals through accessible education and financing, strengthening cybersecurity and national data security protocols, promoting global partnerships and compliance with international AI regulations.

However, an AI Council and a comprehensive Master Plan & Action Matrix will oversee the policy’s implementation. The prime minister applauded the Ministry of IT and allied institutions for their timely efforts, saying, “AI will not only modernize our economy but also enhance productivity across agriculture, public services, and governance.”

Meanwhile, the collection of expenses for Hajj 2026 is expected to begin in the first week of August.

According to sources, Hajj 2026 expenses will be collected in two instalments. The first instalment, likely to be due in August, will range between Rs500,000 and Rs550,000.

Only those who have completed their registration for Hajj 2026 will be eligible to submit the required payments.

Sources further revealed that once the required number of payments has been collected in line with the available quota, the process of collecting additional Hajj 2026 expenses will be halted.