Pakistan has set the cost of its Hajj 2027 packages at Rs. 1.2 million for the 40 to 42 day package and Rs1.3 million for the shorter 20 to 22 day package as the government moves to digitize the entire Hajj process.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said at a press conference in Islamabad that the application, payment and other Hajj-related procedures will be handled online through the Pak Hajj app.
According to the minister, the first installment of Hajj expenses will be collected from pilgrims from August 17, while the second installment will be due in the second week of October. Under the government scheme, 30,000 seats have been reserved for pilgrims choosing the short Hajj package.
Yousuf said nearly 400,000 registered pilgrims are currently proceeding with their applications. He added that those who are unable to perform Hajj in 2027 will be placed on the waiting list for the following year.
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Habib Bank has been chosen as the authorized banking partner of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for collecting Hajj payments. Yousuf said an agreement between the ministry and Habib Bank Islamic would be signed on Monday.
Explaining the decision to select only Habib Bank, the minister said the ministry had invited all banks to participate in the process. Several banks submitted applications, but Habib Bank was the only one that fulfilled the required conditions, particularly those related to digital payments.
Pilgrims under the private Hajj scheme will also be able to make their payments through the Pak Hajj app. The minister said all Hajj-related financial transactions would be carried out through the app, while private pilgrims would be allowed to choose their preferred service provider from the companies approved by the government.
Habib Bank Islamic Head Asad Khan said 99 percent of the bank’s branches across the country would provide digital payment facilities for Hajj pilgrims. Payments can also be made through credit and debit cards.
Khan said Habib Bank operates more than 1,700 branches nationwide and that 80 percent of its branches in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been connected with Islamic banking services. He added that the bank is also expanding its Islamic banking network in Balochistan.
He further said the bank would not charge pilgrims any fees for making Hajj payments through its Islamic banking system.