The federal government has brought private Hajj operations under the direct oversight of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the first time, with all bookings, contracts and payments now routed through the official Pak Hajj App instead of private operators.
Under the new regulatory framework, private Hajj companies will no longer handle bookings or financial transactions independently. All processes will instead be managed through the Pak Hajj App, a single-window digital system introduced by the ministry to bring transparency to financial dealings and curb the fraud that has plagued the sector in the past.
Ministry sources said the new digital system has been designed in line with the guidelines of the Saudi Nusuk Masar system. Once fully operational, the Pak Hajj App will serve as the central platform for both government and private Hajj operations. Pilgrims will be able to browse private packages listed on the app and select a company of their choice.
Pakistan has 25 authorised private Hajj operators, all of which will now function under the ministry of Religious Affairs regulatory umbrella. According to ministry sources, 105,000 private pilgrims have already completed their registration on the Pak Hajj App.
The new framework has been finalised for implementation across the 2027 to 2030 Hajj seasons. Ministry sources said the government will directly oversee pilgrim funds, contract guarantees and operational matters to ensure that all promised facilities are delivered to pilgrims without exception.
