The Pakistani government has announced that Hajj pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia this year will be provided with free local SIM cards along with bundled call and internet packages, ensuring that the approximately 120,000 selected pilgrims can stay connected with their families and with official Hajj support channels throughout their stay in the Kingdom. The announcement was made by Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony spokesperson Umer Butt, who outlined the connectivity arrangements and advised pilgrims on how to make the best use of the facility.
Under the scheme, pilgrims enrolled in the long package, covering a 40-day stay, will receive 600 local and international minutes alongside 40 gigabytes of internet data. Those on the shorter package will be allocated 300 minutes and 25 gigabytes of data. The ministry confirmed that the allocated minutes can be used for both incoming and outgoing calls, giving pilgrims flexibility in how they use their allotted time. Butt emphasised that only the government-issued SIM card should be used, cautioning that one SIM will be issued per passport and that any attempt to obtain an additional SIM could result in cancellation of the official connection. The SIM cards will be distributed at designated Hajj residences, with recharge codes available at pilgrims’ accommodation buildings or counters and top-up facilities accessible on payment for those who require additional credit beyond the allocated bundle.
On the operational side, pre-Hajj flight operations are scheduled to commence on April 18, with a total of 468 flights planned over a 34-day period running through May 21 to transport pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. The first departures will operate from Karachi, Lahore, Sialkot, and Multan, carrying pilgrims to Madinah. All visas for the selected pilgrims have been issued following the completion of required procedures within the Saudi timeline. To further support pilgrims throughout the journey, the government has enhanced its digital infrastructure and is directing all travellers to use the Pak Hajj 2026 mobile application, which will serve as the primary platform for accessing flight schedules, departure details, accommodation information, and official announcements. The ministry urged pilgrims to stay connected with both the application and the official website to remain informed of any changes to schedules or training programmes during the Hajj operation.
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