pakistan plans digital
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Pakistan plans digital system for private Hajj 202…

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has decided to introduce a new digital system for the private Hajj operation in 2027 in line with Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk Masar system.

Under the new arrangement, bookings for private Hajj will be processed through the Ministry of Religious Affairs instead of being handled directly by private Hajj operators.

For the first time, both the government and private Hajj operations will come under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, according to sources.

Sources said the private Hajj scheme will be operated through the ministry’s official Pak Hajj app, which will serve as the digital platform for managing bookings and related arrangements.

The move is aimed at bringing greater transparency, centralised oversight and digital management to the private Hajj scheme. It will also align Pakistan’s private Hajj operations with the digital procedures being implemented by Saudi authorities.

Under the proposed system, pilgrims seeking to perform Hajj through the private scheme will be able to access the relevant services through the official digital platform, while the ministry will maintain direct oversight of the process.

The decision marks a significant change from the existing arrangement, under which private Hajj operators play a central role in booking and managing pilgrims.

The ministry is expected to announce further details regarding registration, booking procedures, packages, payments and the role of private operators as preparations for Hajj 2027 progress.

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