Hajj 2027: Packages set at Rs1.2mn and Rs1.3mn

Pakistan has allocated 107,526 seats for the Hajj 2027 Government Scheme, with the 40-day package costing Rs1.2 million and the 20 to 25-day package set at Rs1.3 million.

This was announced by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, who said that on the special directives of the prime minister and with the cooperation of the Ministry of Information Technology and the National IT Board, the entire process of Hajj 2027 has been digitalised end-to-end.

Under the policy, he said, Hajj pilgrims will be able to complete the application process from home, pay Hajj dues and avail facilities related to other stages.

“The top priority of the Ministry of Religious Affairs is to save Hajj pilgrims from long queues, unnecessary travel expenses and the inconvenience of waiting.

For this purpose, modern and easy digital facilities have been provided to pilgrims through the Pak Hajj App and Hajj Portal in cooperation with the National IT Board,” he said.

The minister further said that under the approved Hajj Policy, collection of the first instalment will begin from August 17, and depositing 50% of the amount of the selected package will be mandatory,

“The second instalment will be demanded in the first week of October.”

The minister said that the final application phase for Hajj 2027 had been initiated and approximately 400,000 registered pilgrims who completed pre-registration will now be able to proceed with their Hajj applications.

Yousaf shared that a data-sharing system had also been established with the Passport Office to make the digital Hajj registration system more effective, which will further improve the verification of pilgrims’ passport-related information and the processing of applications.

“By integrating the data of various government institutions, not only will human intervention and paperwork be reduced, but the Hajj application process will also be made faster, more accurate and transparent.”

Habib Bank Limited has been appointed as the authorised banking partner of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which will assist the ministry in the process of Hajj applications and payment of dues, he said.

“In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding has also been signed between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Habib Bank Limited.”

Three easy digital means have been provided to pilgrims for payment of Hajj dues under the Government Hajj Scheme, the minister added.

“Pilgrims will be able to make payments through a OneLink PSID, via a credit or debit card, or by downloading a digital challan form from the Pak Hajj App and making payment at any branch of Habib Bank.”

Under the scheme, seats of applicants who deposit the amount through the online system on a first-come, first-served basis will continue to be confirmed, and further payments will be stopped once the seats are filled, as per the minister.

“Thirty thousand seats have been allocated for the Short Hajj Scheme, and the online payment process for this scheme will be stopped as soon as this number is completed.”

“If the Hajj 2027 seats are filled, the remaining registered pilgrims will be placed on next year’s waiting list, while the registration process for Hajj 2028 to 2030 will continue.

An announcement regarding the 10% payment for the Long-Term Hajj Scheme will be made after completion of the current phase,” he added.

The federal minister also announced that 71,684 seats have been allocated for the Private Hajj Scheme for Hajj 2027.

Private Hajj pilgrims will be able to view the packages of 25 government-approved authorised Hajj organisers through the Hajj Portal or Pak Hajj App and select the package and organised company of their choice, he shared.

He clarified that under the Private Hajj Scheme as well, all selection and payment will be made only through the designated government digital system, and any kind of financial transaction or direct payment outside this system will not be acceptable.

Hajj pilgrims should not deposit money directly with any private tour operator or company, he cautioned.