More than 80,000 Pakistanis have registered for Hajj 2027 within the first three days of the government's registration drive, the Ministry of Religious Affairs said on Thursday, as preparations gather pace for next year's annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
Registration Drive Details
The government and private Hajj schemes will continue through the ongoing Muharram public holidays. The ministry stated that the cost and other operational details would be announced during the second phase of the process.
"More than 80,000 prospective pilgrims have registered during the first three days through the online Hajj Management System," the ministry said in a statement.
Pakistan last month concluded this year's Hajj operation, under which about 179,000 Pakistanis performed the pilgrimage. The registration drive marks the first stage of preparations for Hajj 2027.
Digital System and Demographics
The ministry said the entire Hajj operation would be managed through a paperless, end-to-end digital system developed by the National Information Technology Board.
Karachi accounted for the highest number of registrations, followed by Lahore and Islamabad as the preferred departure stations. Of those registered so far, about 47,000 are men and 33,000 women, with the majority between the ages of 25 and 50.
Educational Background of Registrants
The ministry also released demographic data showing that the registrants include about 1,000 PhD holders, 17,000 people with master's degrees, 21,000 bachelor's degree holders and 12,000 with intermediate-level education.
