88,700 pay first Hajj installment

88,700 pay first Hajj installment

ISLAMABAD: As many as 88,700 intending pilgrims have deposited the first installment under Pakistan’s government-sponsored Hajj scheme, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

A ministry spokesperson said only around 18,500 seats remain available under the long Hajj package. The ministry has urged applicants planning to perform Hajj in 2027 to complete their registration details and payments through the official Hajj portal as soon as possible.

Punjab recorded the highest number of payments, with 46,400 pilgrims depositing the first installment. Sindh followed with 23,500, while 11,300 intending pilgrims from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa completed their payments.

The figures also include 3,933 pilgrims from Islamabad, 2,555 from Balochistan, 677 from Gilgit-Baltistan and 362 from Azad Kashmir.

The ministry said the Hajj portal operated by the National Information Technology Board also set a new record for online payments. More than Rs55 billion in Hajj dues were collected within just three days through the online payment system.

Balochistan recorded the highest proportion of online payments, with 72% of intending pilgrims using the digital payment facility.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs advised people intending to perform Hajj in 2027 to avoid delays and complete both their personal information and payment process through the Hajj portal within the stipulated time.