ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has announced the key features of the Hajj 2027 policy, including the cost of government packages, payment schedule and a fully digital application system.
The minister said the government was digitising the entire Hajj process to facilitate pilgrims and reduce the need to visit banks and stand in long queues.
Under the government scheme, the 40 to 42-day long Hajj package will cost Rs1.2 million, while the 20 to 22-day short package will cost Rs1.3 million.
Hajj expenses will be collected in two instalments. The first instalment will be received from August 17, while the second instalment will be deposited in the second week of October.
The government has allocated a total quota of 107,526 pilgrims for the government Hajj scheme, including 30,000 seats for the short Hajj package.
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Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and will be closed once the allocated quota is filled.
The minister said people who could not perform Hajj in 2027 because of the quota limit or other reasons would be given priority on the waiting list for the following year.
Hajj system to be fully digital
Sardar Yousaf said the entire Hajj process had been digitised and around 400,000 registered pilgrims would be able to submit their applications from home.
All financial transactions related to Hajj will be carried out through the Pak Hajj App. No other method of payment will be accepted, according to the minister.
Pilgrims opting for the private Hajj scheme will also use the Pak Hajj App to select an operator from the list of registered companies and make payments.
The minister warned pilgrims against paying cash directly to private Hajj operators.
Bank partnership
A private bank has been selected as the official partner for the automated and secure collection of Hajj applications. A services agreement is also being signed in this regard.
During the press conference, bank representative Asad Khan said the bank would provide Hajj-related services through more than 1,700 branches across the country.
He said the services would be provided according to Islamic banking principles and pilgrims would not be charged any additional service fees.
