Pakistan has fully digitised its Hajj management system for the 2027 pilgrimage, allowing pilgrims to register and make payments through the official Pak Hajj app. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf announced the development while addressing a press conference in Islamabad, where he also revealed the expected cost of Hajj packages, instalment schedules and a new banking arrangement for collecting pilgrimage expenses.
The government’s decision is aimed at making the Hajj process more transparent, organised and accessible for Pakistani pilgrims. Under the new system, both registration and financial transactions will be integrated into the Pak Hajj application, reducing the need for traditional payment procedures.
Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said around 400,000 pilgrims are currently registered and moving forward with the application process. He added that the government is working to ensure that the entire Hajj management process is handled through digital channels.
Hajj 2027 Costs Announced
The religious affairs minister also announced the estimated costs for pilgrims travelling under the government Hajj scheme in 2027.
According to the announcement, the cost of the standard Hajj package lasting around 40 to 42 days will be approximately Rs. 1.2 million. Meanwhile, pilgrims opting for the shorter 20- to 22-day package will have to pay around Rs. 1.3 million.
The government has reserved 30,000 seats for the short-duration Hajj package, giving pilgrims an alternative to the longer package.
The minister said the first instalment of Hajj expenses will be collected from August 17, while the second instalment will be deposited during the second week of October.
Applicants who are unable to secure a place for Hajj in 2027 will reportedly be placed on a waiting list for the following year, allowing them to remain eligible for future arrangements.
Payments to Be Made Through Pak Hajj App
One of the major changes introduced by the government is the centralisation of Hajj-related financial transactions through the Pak Hajj app.
Sardar Yousuf said pilgrims travelling under both government and private Hajj schemes will be able to make payments through the application. He stressed that financial transactions will not be permitted through other methods.
The government believes the app-based payment system will make transactions easier to monitor while improving transparency and reducing administrative complications.
Private-scheme pilgrims will still have the option to select their preferred online Hajj company. However, their payments will also be processed through the designated digital system.
Habib Bank Selected as Banking Partner
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has also entered into an agreement with Habib Bank Islami to facilitate the collection of Hajj expenses.
The minister said the government had invited banks to participate in the process and assessed those that submitted applications. According to him, only Habib Bank met the required criteria for providing the necessary digital payment services.
Responding to questions about why a single bank was selected, Sardar Yousuf said other banks had also been considered but failed to fulfil the ministry’s requirements.
The partnership is intended to support the digital payment structure and provide pilgrims with an authorised banking channel for their pilgrimage-related expenses.
Focus on Transparency and Digitalisation
The complete digitalisation of the Hajj management system represents a significant change in the way Pakistani pilgrims will handle registration and payments.
By bringing government and private Hajj schemes into a centralised application, the Ministry of Religious Affairs aims to make the process more traceable and transparent.
The Pak Hajj app is expected to become an important platform for pilgrims throughout the application and payment process. The digital system could also help authorities maintain more accurate records and reduce delays associated with manual procedures.
For pilgrims, the new system is expected to simplify several administrative steps by allowing important processes to be completed through a single platform.
The government’s latest announcement comes as preparations for Hajj 2027 move forward. With hundreds of thousands of applicants already registered, authorities are expected to continue working on accommodation, transportation, financial management and other arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims.
The final details of the Hajj packages, including any changes in costs or additional facilities, may be provided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs as preparations progress.
Also read: Private Hajj Bookings to Come Under Ministry Supervision
