ISLAMABAD: More than 150,000 Pakistanis have registered for Hajj 2027 within eight days of an online registration drive, the Pakistani religious affairs ministry said on Monday, as preparations gather pace for next year’s pilgrimage.
The registration drive, which began on June 22, marks the first phase of preparations for Hajj 2027, weeks after Pakistan concluded this year’s Hajj operation under which nearly 179,000 Pakistanis performed the pilgrimage.
The religious affairs ministry has provided an easier, transparent and faster registration facility to intending Hajj pilgrims through its online Hajj portal and ‘Pak Hajj’ mobile app in a major step toward complete digitization of Hajj services.
“In the first eight days of registration, more than 150,000 intending Hajj pilgrims completed their Hajj registration without any office procedures,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The public has appreciated the new digital system and termed it as an effective step toward transparency, convenience and modern governance in the provision of government services.”
The collection of Hajj dues is also moving toward being completely digital.
Intending pilgrims will be able to pay their Hajj dues from home through the online portal or the mobile app. For this purpose, a modern system of collection of Hajj dues is being introduced through One Link, under which Hajj pilgrims will not have to visit banks or offices, but all the steps from registration to payment can be completed with a few clicks, according to the ministry.
The new digital model offers great convenience to overseas Pakistanis as they will be able to easily complete their Hajj registration, application submission and payment of Hajj dues from anywhere in the world.
The ministry said it has added several new features to its Hajj portal and mobile app, through which applicants can now easily access their application status, registration details and other necessary information.
