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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received over 58,000 applications from intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj, the religious affairs ministry said on Friday, adding that designated banks will remain open on Saturday, Aug. 9, to continue accepting Hajj forms.

The country has been allotted a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims, of which 129,210 seats are reserved under the government scheme, while the remaining are allocated to private tour operators.

Under the government scheme, pilgrims can choose between a long Hajj package (38–42 days) and a short package (20–25 days). The estimated cost of the government Hajj package ranges between Rs1,150,000 and Rs1,250,000 (approximately $4,050 to $4,236).

"So far, more than 58,000 Hajj applications have been received," the Ministry of Religious Affairs said in a statement.

"The designated banks will remain open tomorrow, Saturday, for receiving Hajj applications," it added. "The receipt of applications from registered Hajj pilgrims will continue on Saturday, Aug. 9."

The statement highlighted the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued instructions to the 14 designated banks in this regard, following a request from the ministry.

Hajj applications can also be submitted online or through designated banks, it added, depending on the applicant’s convenience.

Individuals, registered on a first-come, first-served basis, can deposit the first installment of their Hajj dues by tomorrow, according to the ministry.

The second installment of Hajj dues will be collected starting in November this year, it said.

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However, a significant portion of the private Hajj quota remained unutilized due to delays by tour operators in meeting payment and registration deadlines, while the government successfully fulfilled its full allocation of over 88,000 pilgrims.

Private operators cited technical issues including payment processing problems and communication breakdowns as the main reasons for the shortfall.

KARACHI: Pakistani security forces killed 33 militants attempting to infiltrate from Afghanistan into the country’s southwestern Balochistan province, the military said on Friday, in one of the deadliest recent cross-border encounters.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused neighboring Afghanistan of harboring militants responsible for cross-border attacks, particularly members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella group of insurgent factions reportedly operating from sanctuaries across the border.

Islamabad says the TTP’s leadership is based in Afghanistan and receives support from India, a charge both Kabul and New Delhi have denied.

The TTP, which the Pakistani state refers to as Fitna al Khwaraj, a term drawn from Islamic history denoting a violent rebel group, has been blamed for hundreds of attacks.

“On night 7/8 August 2025, movement of a large group of khwarij, belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwaraj, who were trying to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was detected by the security forces in general area Sambaza, Zhob District of Balochistan,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

“Own troops effectively engaged and thwarted their attempt to infiltrate,” it added. “As result of precise, bold and skillful engagement, thirty three Indian sponsored khwarij were sent to hell. A large cache of weapons, ammunition & explosives was also recovered.”

The ISPR said “a sanitization operation” was underway in the area to eliminate any remaining militants, as it pledged to continue efforts to “eradicate the menace of Indian sponsored terrorism from the country.”

While the recent infiltration attempt took place in volatile Balochistan province, where Baloch separatists also operate, the TTP has primarily carried out attacks in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, targeting security personnel, police and civilians.

Balochistan’s Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti welcomed the operation, calling it a successful counter-infiltration move that “made the nation proud.”

“The people of Balochistan stand united against the enemies of peace,” he said. “Every obstacle to peace and prosperity in Balochistan will be eliminated.”

Pakistan, which has witnessed a surge in militant violence in recent years, has stepped up pressure on Afghanistan’s Taliban government to take action against militant sanctuaries.

The Afghan Taliban deny allowing their territory to be used for cross-border attacks.