ISLAMABAD: As many as 84,000 pilgrims have paid the first installment for Hajj 2027 under the government scheme, ARY News reported.
Currently, 23,000 seats remain to be filled under the long Hajj package, while 30,000 seats were filled on the very first day under the short Hajj package.
A spokesperson stated that through the Pak Hajj app and Hajj portal, three payment options have been introduced for pilgrims, through which a whopping amount of Rs 52.5 billion has been received for the first installment.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has directed prospective pilgrims to complete their data on the Hajj portal and pay the first installment to complete the process and secure their seats.
The spokesperson added that booking will close once the required quota for the 40-day Hajj package is met, advising pilgrims to make their payments promptly.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia has approved the inclusion of Pakistani-origin holders of Pakistan Origin Cards (POCs) in Pakistan’s Hajj quota for 2027, allowing them to perform the pilgrimage under the country’s allocated quota for the first time.
Under the new arrangement, 1% of Pakistan’s total Hajj quota will be reserved for POC holders. This means 1,792 Pakistani-origin POC holders will be eligible to perform Hajj in 2027 under Pakistan’s quota.
POC holders will be able to apply through both the government and private Hajj schemes, according to the new arrangement.
The facility is being introduced for foreign nationals of Pakistani origin who previously held Pakistani citizenship but subsequently surrendered their Pakistani nationality and passport.
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However, their participation will be subject to there being no legal or administrative obstacles to the issuance of Saudi visas.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs will publish the detailed terms and conditions for POC holders on its official website. The application process will incorporate the requirements set by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The ministry has also issued instructions to raise awareness among POC holders about the new facility and the applicable requirements.
POC holders are foreign nationals of Pakistani origin who were previously citizens of Pakistan and are eligible for the Pakistan Origin Card under the relevant rules.
