Pakistan Launches Online Hajj Payment System as 2027 Registrations Top 150,000
Digital portal lets pilgrims register and pay dues from home, with overseas Pakistanis also able to use the service
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA) has rolled out an online payment system for Hajj dues, allowing intending pilgrims to settle their payments from home as the country accelerates preparations for Hajj 2027.
The new facility works through the 1LINK interbank payment network, removing the need for applicants to visit bank branches in person. A ministry spokesperson said the entire Hajj process, from registration through to payment, has now been fully digitized, with officials describing the change as part of a broader government push to modernize public services.
“On the instructions of the prime minister, an online payment system for Hajj dues has been developed,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that pilgrims would be able to deposit their dues from home without needing to visit a bank.
The launch coincides with strong early uptake of the ministry’s online Hajj portal, which has now recorded more than 150,000 registrations for Hajj 2027. According to the ministry, this milestone was reached within the first eight to ten days of a registration drive that began on June 22, a pace officials have pointed to as evidence of public confidence in the new digital system.
Registration on the portal, or through the companion Pak Hajj mobile app, is mandatory before applicants can choose whether to perform Hajj under the government scheme or through private tour operators. The ministry said the platform has also been updated with new features that let applicants track their application status and registration details online.
Officials credited the National Information Technology Board for its role in developing the system, which they said is intended to make the Hajj process more convenient, transparent and efficient for applicants across the country.
Overseas Pakistanis to benefit
The digital framework has been extended to overseas Pakistanis, who will be able to complete registration, submit applications and pay their Hajj dues remotely from anywhere in the world. Officials said this marks a significant convenience for the diaspora, who previously faced added difficulty completing in-person procedures from abroad.
The ministry said the shift toward a fully digital model reflects a wider government effort to reduce paperwork and improve the delivery of public services through technology.
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Context: Hajj 2026 concluded, attention turns to 2027
The registration drive for Hajj 2027 follows the completion of this year’s Hajj operation, during which nearly 179,000 Pakistanis performed the pilgrimage. Authorities say preparations for next year’s Hajj are now underway in line with Saudi Arabia’s advance registration timelines, with the current registration phase described as the first stage of that process.
The ministry has urged prospective pilgrims who have not yet registered to do so through the official online portal within the announced timeframe. Officials said further details on Hajj packages, the balloting process and payment schedules will be announced in the coming months as preparations continue.
The introduction of online payments adds to a series of digital reforms the ministry has made to the Hajj application process in recent years, with authorities saying the goal is to allow pilgrims to complete every step, from initial registration to final payment, with only a few clicks and no office visits required.
