Women Can Go on Hajj 2027 From Pakistan Without a Mahram: The Affidavit You Need
Pakistan's Hajj Policy 2027 to 2030 drops the mahram rule for women if an affidavit is filed. Read the three statements it must carry and what is still unclear.
Short answer: Under Pakistan's Hajj Policy 2027 to 2030, a woman does not need a mahram to apply, but she must file an affidavit. The affidavit says her parents or husband allow the trip, she will travel with a group of trustworthy women, and her dignity and safety are not at risk.
A mahram is a close male relative a woman may travel with, such as her husband, father, brother or son. For years, many Pakistani women lost a Hajj seat because no mahram could go with them. The new policy changes that rule on paper.
We read the full policy on the Ministry of Religious Affairs website on 13 October 2026. This page covers only what that document says about women and mahram. It does not say what the affidavit must look like, so we explain that gap below.
The policy drops the mahram rule but adds an affidavit
Clause 7(5) of the policy says a mahram "shall not be required for women". The condition is an affidavit. This follows a 2023 decision of the Council of Islamic Ideology, the government's advisory body on Islamic law.
The rule applies to both the government scheme and the private scheme. The policy lists it as a mandatory condition for all intending pilgrims.
The affidavit must confirm three things
The policy names three statements. Each one must be true for the woman who signs. The wording below is plain English, not the legal text.
- Her parents or her husband have given her permission to perform Hajj.
- She will travel as part of a group of reliable and trustworthy women.
- There is no threat to her dignity or safety.
The policy does not name the person who issues the affidavit. It does not give a stamp paper value or a form number either. Our guide to getting an affidavit attested in Punjab shows how an ordinary affidavit is made, but do not prepare one for Hajj until the ministry publishes its format.
What the policy leaves unanswered
Several details are not in the policy. The ministry has to notify them before each Hajj season, so check its notices before you pay for any paperwork.
| Question | What the policy says |
|---|---|
| Is a mahram required? | No, if the affidavit is filed |
| Who can issue the affidavit? | Not stated |
| Where is it submitted? | Not stated |
| Is there a minimum age for women? | Age limits follow Saudi rules for each season |
| Who forms the women's group? | Not stated |
Age limits are set by the Saudi authorities for each season and the ministry then announces them. We could not confirm any Saudi age rule for women travelling alone, so we do not give one.
Why the change matters for families
Under the old practice, a woman with no available male relative often had to wait until one could travel. That could mean years. The affidavit gives her a second route that does not depend on a relative's health, job or savings.
The route also puts a duty on the family. The affidavit is a signed statement, so a husband or parent should read it before agreeing. A false statement can cause trouble later, and the policy warns that conduct against Saudi rules can bar a pilgrim from future visits.
If you have a mahram, the app can still add him
A woman who prefers to travel with a male relative can still do so. The Pak Hajj app lets a successful applicant add a mahram through the hardship quota, as we explain in our guide to the new Pak Hajj app features. The affidavit rule is an extra option, not a ban on travelling with a relative.
Rooms follow the same logic. People who are mahram to each other can ask for a family room, and others get shared rooms, as set out in the page on the Hajj 2027 second instalment.
Plan the steps in this order
Do the safe steps now and wait for the ministry on the affidavit. Registration and payment do not depend on it.
- Register for Hajj and note your year, using the steps in how to register for Hajj from Pakistan.
- Check that your passport is valid. The ministry will announce the minimum validity.
- Ask your parents or husband whether they agree, because the affidavit depends on it.
- Find the women you will travel with. Do not sign anything about a group you have not met.
- Wait for the ministry to publish the affidavit format, then sign it.
Common questions
Can a woman go on Hajj 2027 from Pakistan without a mahram?
Yes, under the policy, if she submits an affidavit with the three statements. The policy says a mahram is not required for women who do so.
Who must give permission for the affidavit?
Her parents or her husband. The policy names these two and no other person.
Does the rule apply to the private Hajj scheme?
Yes. The policy lists it among the mandatory conditions for pilgrims under both the government and the private schemes.
Where do I submit the affidavit?
The policy does not say. Watch the ministry's notices and the Pak Hajj app, and do not pay anyone who offers to file it for you.
Is a mahram needed for Umrah?
No. The Nusuk platform says a mahram is not mandatory for Umrah, as explained in our guide to the Umrah visa from Pakistan.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked on 13 October 2026, Pakistan time. We read the Ministry of Religious Affairs' Hajj Policy and Plan 2027 to 2030 in full, and the ministry's home page for current notices. We did not find an affidavit format, an issuing office or a submission point. We could not check the Saudi side of the rule, so confirm the final conditions with the ministry before you pay.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
