Today is last day to submit Haj applications

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has so far received over 54,000 Haj applications under the regular Haj scheme, the spokesman of the Ministry on Monday said.

The spokesman said that December 3 (today) is the last day for receiving Haj applications at branches of 15 banks across the country. He said that the increase in number of Haj applications as compared to the last year resulted due to the decision to receive Haj expenses in three installments. The applicants are depositing Rs200,000 along with the application while the second installment of Rs400,000 would be received after balloting which is scheduled on December 06. The successful Haj applicants would deposit the remaining Haj expenses by February 10 next.

The spokesman said that schedule of Haj flights would be finalized after the process of receiving applications is completed. The Haj expenses would vary between Rs1,075,000 and Rs1,175,000.

A quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Pakistan has been divided equally between the government’s regular scheme and private scheme. The regular Haj scheme also include 5,000 quota for sponsorship scheme according to which applicants are to deposit Haj expenses in foreign exchange.

As per the policy, 1,000 seats would be allocated for hardship cases and 300 for labourers and low-income employees registered under the Employees Old-Age Benefit Institution (EOBI) or Workers Welfare Fund.