ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced the initial arrangements for Hajj 2027, allocating 107,526 seats under the Government Hajj Scheme and introducing a fully digital application and payment system aimed at making the pilgrimage process easier and more transparent for applicants. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the government has set the estimated cost of the 40-day Hajj package at Rs1.2 million, while the 20 to 25-day package will cost Rs1.3 million. According to the minister, the Hajj 2027 process has been transformed into an end-to-end digital system on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with the Ministry of Religious Affairs working in coordination with the Ministry of Information Technology and the National IT Board. The new arrangements are designed to allow intending pilgrims to complete most of the necessary procedures without repeatedly visiting government offices or banks. Applicants will be able to submit their Hajj applications from their homes, deposit the required dues through digital channels and access information and other facilities through the Pak Hajj App and Hajj Portal. Yousaf said the ministry’s primary objective was to reduce the difficulties traditionally faced by pilgrims during the application process. He said the digital system would help eliminate lengthy queues, unnecessary journeys and waiting periods while also making the overall process more convenient for applicants. First instalment to be collected from August 17 The minister announced that the first phase of payments under the approved Hajj Policy 2027 would begin on August 17. Applicants selected under the relevant phase will be required to deposit 50% of the total package cost as the first instalment. The government will subsequently demand the second instalment during the first week of October. The authorities have also opened the final application phase for Hajj 2027. Around 400,000 pilgrims who have already completed the pre-registration process will now be eligible to proceed with their formal applications. Officials expect the digital registration mechanism to simplify verification and reduce delays as the large number of pre-registered applicants move into the next stage. Passport information to be verified digitally The Religious Affairs Ministry has also established a data-sharing arrangement with the Passport Office as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the digital Hajj registration system. Through the integration, applicants’ passport information can be verified more efficiently, potentially reducing paperwork and manual intervention during the application process. Yousaf said linking databases of different government institutions would improve the accuracy and speed of processing while increasing transparency. The minister maintained that the use of digital verification would also reduce the possibility of errors arising from manual data entry and repeated documentation. HBL named banking partner Habib Bank Limited (HBL) has been designated as the authorised banking partner for the Government Hajj Scheme. According to the minister, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and HBL have signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering the banking arrangements associated with Hajj applications and payment of dues. Pilgrims will have three digital payment options available under the government scheme. They can pay through a OneLink PSID, use a credit or debit card, or download a digital challan through the Pak Hajj App and deposit the required amount at any HBL branch. The government has stressed that applicants should use only the officially prescribed channels when making payments. Seats to be confirmed on first-come, first-served basis Under the Government Hajj Scheme, applicants who successfully deposit the required amount through the online payment system will have their seats confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the allocated seats are filled, the authorities will stop accepting further payments for that category. The government has separately allocated 30,000 seats for the Short Hajj Scheme. Online payments for the short-duration package will be closed once the allocated quota is exhausted. Authorities have also outlined arrangements for applicants who are unable to secure a seat during the current phase. If the available Hajj 2027 quota is filled, remaining registered applicants will be placed on a waiting list for the following year. At the same time, registration for the Hajj 2028-2030 period will continue according to the announced policy. The minister said details concerning the 10% payment requirement for the Long-Term Hajj Scheme would be announced after completion of the current application phase. Private Hajj Scheme gets 71,684 seats Alongside the government programme, the federal government has allocated 71,684 seats for the Private Hajj Scheme for 2027. Under the new digital mechanism, pilgrims opting for the private scheme will be able to compare packages offered by 25 government-approved authorised Hajj organisers. The available packages and participating companies will be displayed through the official Hajj Portal and Pak Hajj App, allowing intending pilgrims to choose an organiser and package according to their preferences. The government has made it clear that the selection of private Hajj organisers and payments must also be completed through the designated official digital system. Pilgrims warned against direct payments The Religious Affairs Ministry has issued a specific warning to intending pilgrims against handing over money directly to private Hajj operators or tour companies. Yousaf said any payment or financial transaction conducted outside the officially designated government system would not be recognised. Pilgrims have therefore been advised to verify the status of Hajj organisers through the official digital platform before making any payment. The government believes that centralising the selection and payment process through the digital Hajj system will help protect pilgrims from potential fraud, unauthorised operators and disputes over payments.
