Balloting for govt Hajj scheme to be held tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: Balloting of Hajj applications under government scheme will be held tomorrow (Tuesday), Radio Pakistan reported on Monday.

As per spokesperson of Ministry of Religious Affairs, the balloting was delayed for a day on the request of Banks.

He said Minister for Religious Affairs Noor ul Haq Qadri will perform the balloting.

The spokesperson said 216, 542 intending pilgrims submitted their applications for Hajj this year.

All banks have been directed to complete online entry at the earliest and ensure accuracy of updating records of the pilgrims who remained unsuccessful in the last three years, spokesperson said.

The banks were also advised to clear cheques and drafts of Hajj pilgrims.

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The deadline for submission of Hajj applications under the government scheme concluded yesterday after an extension till March 09 while the process was commenced on February 25..

As many as 200,000 people from Pakistan would perform Hajj this year, 60 percent of which under the government scheme, while the rest under the private tour operators.

On February 21, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had confirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has increased Pakistan’s Hajj quota to 200,000 and also agreed to Pakistan’s suggestion to provide E-Visa service to its pilgrims.