Religious Affairs Minister Motiur Rahaman yesterday said the government introduced a pass system for entering the Hajj camp in Dhaka as part of security of pilgrims.

The minister came up with the remark while talking to reporters at the secretariat over the overall Hajj arrangement.

He said some 1,01,778 Hajj pilgrims will go to Saudi Arabia this year to perform Hajj.

Around 1,40,000 people registered their names to perform Hajj under private arrangement against arrangement for only 91,778 pilgrims.

However, only 5,200 people showed their interest to go to Saudi Arabia through government management although there is an arrangement for 10,000 people. The minister also noted that about 40,000 registered aspirants who will not be able to perform Hajj this year will be given priority in 2017.