Hajj Applications to Start from 17 August, Govt Scheme Puota Set at 107,526

ISLAMABAD: Applications for Hajj 2027 under the government scheme will be received from August 17, with applications to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until the allocated quota is filled.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Monday alongside Federal Secretary Religious Affairs Abrar Ahmed Mirza and officials of Habib Bank, said the government scheme has a quota of 107,526 pilgrims, including 30,000 slots allocated for the short Hajj package.

He said the government has fully digitized the Hajj process to ensure transparency and save pilgrims from waiting and long queues. Pilgrims will be able to submit their applications from home through the digital system.

The minister said the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Habib Bank had signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Hajj 2027. The first installment of Hajj expenses will be collected at the time of application, while the second installment will be collected in the first week of October.

The long Hajj package will cost Rs1.2 million, while the short Hajj package will cost Rs1.3 million, he said.

Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said private-scheme pilgrims would also be able to select private Hajj operators through the Pak Hajj App and would be required to make payments through the designated digital system. Private Hajj operators will also be required to use the Pak Hajj App.

Habib Bank representative Muhammad Asad Khan said the bank would provide Hajj-related services at more than 1,700 branches across the country. He said the bank would not charge pilgrims any fees under Islamic banking arrangements.

He said pilgrims would have three options for payment of Hajj dues — credit card, OneLink or PSID — while cash payments could also be made by printing the challan form.

Replying to a question, the federal minister said all banks had expressed interest in participating in the Hajj operation, but only Habib Bank met the required digitization standards. He added that the bank would not earn any profit from pilgrims.

Federal Secretary Religious Affairs Abrar Ahmed Mirza said the new system was aimed at ensuring transparency and facilitating the application process. He said complaints of fraud involving private Hajj pilgrims had been reported in the past, while the new system would also use data from the Passport Office to facilitate verification.

He said the Hajj application process had been made easier and Habib Bank would also provide mobile services to pilgrims.