Govt introduces to digitize hajj operations

Islamabad: The Ministry of Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication in collaboration with the religious ministry has introduced to fully digitize next year’s hajj operations on Wednesday.

The decision was made at a special committee meeting that was held earlier this month as a result of the premier's order.

The meeting was chaired by caretaker IT Minister Dr Umar Saif, Religious Affairs Minister Aneeq Ahmed.

The IT minister said during the conference that a mobile application and online site will be created to digitize the whole Hajj process.

نگراں وزیر آئی ٹی/ ڈیجیٹلائزڈ حج آپریشن

وزارت آئی ٹی و ٹیلی کمیونیکیشن کے تعاون سے حج آپریشن مکمل ڈیجیٹلائزڈ کرنے کا فیصلہ

"ڈیجیٹلائزیشن سےحج آپریشن کی خامیوں اورشکایات کو ختم کیا جاسکےگا." ڈاکٹرعمر سیف#MOITT #Hajj #ICT #DigitalPakistan @umarsaif pic.twitter.com/PMH4ZFWd0j

— Ministry of IT & Telecom (@MoitOfficial) September 27, 2023

The National Information Technology Board (NITB) was instructed by the IT minister to modernize the Hajj operation system right away.

The Hajj strategy for 2024 has already been developed by the interim administration. Aneeq Ahmed, the interim minister for religious affairs, stated in a statement that the federal cabinet will adopt the Hajj policy within 10 days due to the challenges caused by the delay in doing so.

He said that the 40-day and brief-duration Hajj are also covered under the policy. He stated that because the ministry will give them two luggage with particular color and design schemes, Pakistani Hajj pilgrims won't get lost anymore.

The Minister said that the suitcase's QR code will contain information about pilgrims' passports, addresses, and other documentation. The pilgrims will also have unlimited call time available while calling Pakistan.