Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday approved Pakistan’s first-ever four-year Hajj Policy and Plan (2027-2030), directing authorities to ensure transparent, merit-based appointments of Hajj assistants and third-party validation of both government and private Hajj operations to improve services for pilgrims.

The prime minister, while chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet here, endorsed the long-term Hajj framework aimed at improving planning, operational efficiency and facilities for intending pilgrims. The cabinet also commended Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and his team for what it described as the successful management of Hajj arrangements this year, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.

The cabinet was informed that, unlike previous annual policies, the new framework provides a four-year roadmap to facilitate long-term planning. Standard operating procedures and other regulations will be developed for its implementation, while amendments will be made whenever necessary to ensure compatibility with Saudi laws and regulations.

Under the approved policy, intending pilgrims will be able to register once for any Hajj season up to 2030 instead of undergoing annual registration, enabling the preparation of a priority waiting list. A Shariah-compliant Hajj savings scheme will also be introduced to help citizens plan financially for future pilgrimages.

The prime minister was informed that the entire Hajj management system, including payments, complaints handling and monitoring, would be digitised to enhance transparency and efficiency.

The policy also provides separate quotas for government and private Hajj schemes, introduces both long and short Hajj packages, and includes mandatory pilgrim training, Takaful coverage and emergency response arrangements.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed that the appointment of Hajj assistants be carried out through a transparent and strictly merit-based process. He also instructed authorities to ensure independent third-party validation of services provided under both the public and private Hajj schemes.

The cabinet also approved a policy for outsourcing the services of the Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Centre (IHITC) and the Regional Blood Centre (RBC) in Islamabad to improve the delivery of quality healthcare services. The Ministry of National Health Services was directed to complete the outsourcing process in accordance with the prescribed rules and regulations.

The cabinet also reviewed the performance of Pakistan Railways during a briefing by Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi.

Members were informed that railway revenues had increased from Rs95 billion in 2024-25 to more than Rs115 billion in 2025-26, reflecting a growth of 24.19 percent.

The briefing highlighted an increase of over Rs8 billion in freight revenue, more than Rs7 billion in other income, over Rs6 billion in property and land revenue, while passenger revenue also registered a 3.37 percent increase. Improved railway operations and freight movement were cited as key contributors to the growth.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the cabinet appreciated the performance of Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and his team for improving the department’s financial and operational performance.

The federal cabinet also ratified the decisions taken during the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases (CCLC) meeting held on May 19, 2026, and the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting held on July 2, 2026.