Government Scheme Hajj Applications Invitation Likely From Mid Feb

Rukhshan Mir (@rukhshanmir) Published January 23, 2019 | 05:06 PM

The Hajj aspirants contemplating to perform sacred religious obligation under Government Scheme this year would be required to submit applications for balloting from February 15

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2019 ) :The Hajj aspirants contemplating to perform sacred religious obligation under Government Scheme this year would be required to submit applications for balloting from February 15.

According to sources, the draft of Hajj Policy 2019 has almost been finalized after consultations with all stakeholders and seeking feedback from erstwhile hujjaj.The Hajj Policy will be announced within next fortnight after seeking consent of the Federal cabinet.

The Hajj package would around plus minus Rs 400,000 per haji. The hajj expenditures have registered a steep increase owing to massive depreciation in value of rupee as comparing to US Dollar and increase in transport charges by Saudi government.

This year 184,210 Pakistanis will perform the sacred religious ceremony. Out of which 60 pc will perform hajj under government scheme and 40 pc under private scheme.

According to preliminary reports, octogenarian aspirants and applicants, who failed to win the berth in Government Scheme in last three attempts would be declared successful without participating in hajj balloting.

To accommodate such aspirants, a quota of 10,000 has been reserved in new hajj policy.Over 500 laborers will also get a chance to perform Hajj, without participating in the balloting.

According to Hajj agreement inked between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia last year, the immigration and other formalities of 35,000 intending Hujjaj from Sindh will be completed at Karachi airport.

The Hajj dues of the applicants would be kept in Sharia Complaint remunerative accounts. Pakistanis will be given E-visas.

Immigration of intending pilgrims would be conducted in Sindh at Karachi airport. food facilities for pilgrims would be improved further. Hujjaj, who performed Hajj during last seven to ten years could be banned from submitting applications.