With Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) offering a fixed airfare of $800 per person for the forthcoming pilgrimage, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has effectively lowered the cost of the Hajj for Pakistani pilgrims.

This marks a significant decrease from last year’s cost, where the Ministry had paid $850 per pilgrim. This year’s Hajj will be more reasonably priced for Pakistanis making the holy pilgrimage thanks to the Ministry’s allocation of 35,000 pilgrims to PIA.

For Pakistani Muslims, the action is considered the first significant step taken by the Ministry to increase Hajj accessibility and affordability.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs opens the application process for the Hajj 2025.

Hajj policy 2025: Check details of quota, costs, procedures

The government would permit pilgrims to make Hajj payments in installments.

The administration has put up a fresh proposal to help middle-class and low-income individuals who intend to perform the Hajj.

The federal cabinet is considering a proposal that would permit pilgrims to pay for their Hajj expenditures in three payments rather than in one large sum.

The idea of collecting Hajj pilgrims’ expenses in installments is reportedly a component of the government’s Hajj agenda. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has produced a Hajj policy that will be approved by the federal cabinet.

According to sources, prospective pilgrims will have the facility to pay Rs1.1 million in three installments. In order to apply for Hajj under the proposed payment system, potential pilgrims would first need to deposit Rs200,000. After being chosen in the lucky draw, they would have to pay an extra Rs400,000, with the entire sum to be paid prior to their departure.

According to a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) published on Sunday, Pakistan need about $390 billion in supplementary investments by 2050 to effectively transition to a low-carbon economy.

This substantial investment is essential to fulfill the nation’s international obligations on carbon emission reductions, especially through efforts like the coal-to-gas transition in the industrial sector, electrification of transportation, and substituting gas with electricity for cooking.

The research, entitled Pakistan Low-Carbon Energy Outlook and Technology Road Map, emphasizes that these energy growth initiatives will necessitate significant financial support.

The investment allocation indicates that hydropower generation will necessitate around $153 billion, nuclear power $103 billion, wind power $62 billion, and solar energy $51 billion.

Furthermore, $22 billion is required for transmission and distribution infrastructure to maintain a reliable electricity grid.

These investments supplement those necessary for the transportation and residential sectors, which are essential for attaining energy efficiency objectives. The ADB recognizes the challenges in obtaining such an ambitious investment program, as government finance will be inadequate, necessitating substantial financial support from both domestic and international private sectors. This may encompass equity financing, bank loans, bond offerings, and international financial aid.

The Manila-based loan organization remarked, “Attaining this level of funding will be difficult,” emphasizing the necessity for significant reforms to draw investment. The paper advocates for regulatory reforms, strong policy actions, and thorough planning to establish an investment environment favorable to this level of capital.

To achieve the ambitious objective of emission reduction, Pakistan needs execute a number of legislative actions that connect private sector incentives with environmental objectives.

The research emphasized the necessity of a conducive regulatory environment, coupled with an organized project preparation and execution system, to satisfy the demands of multilateral and bilateral donors.

The ADB’s analysis reveals that the low-carbon scenario will substantially diminish Pakistan’s greenhouse gas emissions, forecasting a 23% decrease by 2030 and a 36% reduction by 2050, relative to the business-as-usual trajectory.

The essential factor in attaining these reductions will be the shift to cleaner energy sources, including natural gas and renewables, especially within the industrial and transportation sectors.

Pakistan, among the most susceptible nations to climate change, urgently requires a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability.

The government has pledged to decrease national greenhouse gas emissions by 50%.

Following better visibility, a number of Punjabi roadways have reopened, a spokeswoman for the Motorway Police said.

According to Motorway Police spokesperson Imran Ahmed, Motorway M11 has reopened for traffic from Lahore to Kamonki, while Motorway M4 has also started up again. Additionally, Multan to Zahir Peer is now accessible via Motorway M5.

When driving, Motorway Police have asked drivers to use caution and follow safety procedures.