Biometric verification of Haj pilgrims begins

Islamabad : The biometric verification of the intending Haj pilgrims started Saturday in 27 cities across the country as a pre-requisite for visa processing of Saudi Arabia, said an official of Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.

According to an official the ministry has asked the intending pilgrims of Government Haj Scheme to ensure conducting their biometric verification according to schedule.

The schedule of conducting verification has already been sent to pilgrims through telephone, SMS.

A pilgrim could also check his or her scheduled appearance in their respective Etimad office by clicking ministry’s website www.hajjinfo.org or ministry’s help lines (042) 111 725425; (051) 9205696, (051) 9216980-82 and through Haji camps to ensure biometric verification before submitting their passports for the issuance of visa.

He said the verification was being conducted by Etimad Visa Service Centres as per scheduled time and date and pilgrims should keep original bank receipts, copies of Computerized National Identity Cards (CNIC) and passports with them before going for verification.

The verification would be conducted free of charge barring over 80 years old pilgrims and children of below six years of age.

The biometric verification of intending pilgrims would be conducted at 27 Visa Service Centres of Etimad, in Faisalabad, Multan, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Sukkar, Sialkot , Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ismail Khan, Swat, Jhang, Swabi, Mardan, Hyderabad, Gujrat, Sahiwal,Mansehra, Khushab, Gilgit, Mirpur (AJK), Rajanpur, Gujranwala, Mirpur Khas (Sindh), Kohat and Kasur. He said the Hujaj would not be allowed to leave for Saudi Arabia sans biometric verification.