‘84,620 Haj applications received under regular scheme’

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has so far received 84,620 applications under the regular Hajj scheme.

According to a ministry official, now only 1,380 seats under the government’s regular scheme are left for which applications, along with Rs600,000 payments as first two instalments, would be received.

The government from January 10, through designated banks, had started receiving applications under the regular scheme on remaining 4,500 seats on first-come first-served basis.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs had also written to privately Hajj operators to seek approval for Hajj packages of over Rs3 million.

The data of applicants seeking such heavy packages would be shared with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), while they would be allowed to perform

Hajj after clearance from security agencies. Deputy Director IT, Muhammad Hakeem Khattak has been appointed ministry’s coordinator for private tour operators.