ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has finalised the procedure for receiving applications and Hajj dues for the 2027 pilgrimage, with applications under the government scheme expected to open in the third week of August.
According to ministry sources, Hajj expenses will be collected in two installments, with intended pilgrims required to deposit half of the amount in the first instalment and the remaining half in the second.
The ministry has also introduced a digital payment mechanism under which dues can be paid through 1LINK, Payment Slip Identification (PSID), credit cards and online challans.
The system will also enable overseas Pakistanis to submit their applications and pay Hajj dues through digital channels without having to visit a bank branch.
Only those pilgrims who have already registered for Hajj will be eligible to submit applications and deposit the required dues under the government scheme.
As part of the new arrangement, applications and payments will be processed through a designated private bank, replacing the previous system involving multiple banks.
The move is aimed at making the payment process faster, safer and more convenient for intending pilgrims.
Pilgrims opting for the private Hajj scheme will also be able to pay their dues through digital channels, including 1LINK, PSID and credit cards.
The development follows the ministry’s earlier decision to streamline Hajj-related financial transactions through a single banking channel and expand digital payment facilities for pilgrims.
According to earlier reports, Pakistan’s Hajj quota for 2027 has been fixed at 179,210 pilgrims, with 60 per cent allocated to the government scheme and 40pc to the private scheme.
The figures provided by the sources put the government scheme quota at 177,526 and the private scheme quota at 71,684; however, these figures total more than the overall quota and appear to require official clarification.
The ministry is expected to announce the detailed application schedule and further instructions before the start of the registration process.
Prospective pilgrims have previously been advised to rely only on the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ official platforms for Hajj-related information and remain cautious of fraudulent advertisements and unauthorised agents.
