F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: A total of 87,813 intending pilgrims were selected through a transparent computerized balloting here on Thursday to perform the sacred religious obligation under the Government Hajj Scheme.
Minister of State for Religious Affairs, Interfaith Harmony, Pir Amin ul Hasnat Shah conducted the balloting at the Committee Room of the Ministry.
He said the intending pilgrims were selected randomly across the country through balloting, irrespective of their areas of residence. Two percent quota had been reserved for hardship cases.
The list of successful pilgrims would be placed on the ministry’s website by 10.00 pm Thursday. The applicants can check their names by clicking their application numbers on the following websites www.hajjinfo.com and www.mora.gov.pk
The successful aspirants would be intimated through Short Message Service (SMS) on their mobile phones while intimation letters would also be sent to the selected pilgrims. The successful applicants can also check their names by visiting their respective banks.
The rejected applicants can have their money refunded from the respective banks from Friday. There is no need to get approval of the ministry in that regard.
The intending pilgrims have been selected out of a total 374,857 applicants. The selection of successful pilgrims has been based on 107,801 groups. The selection of group leader means the selection of the whole group, he said.
Since the federal cabinet had enhanced Government Scheme quota to 67 percent this year. Some Hajj Group Organisers had challenged the cabinet’s decision of reducing their quota to 33 percent from 40 percent. So the balloting of 50 percent should be conducted immediately and the balloting for selecting the remaining 17 percent pilgrims would be conducted after permission of the court.
A record number of 374,857 applications had been received under the Government Scheme, which shows people’s trust in the government.
The balloting was conducted in collaboration with Punjab Information Technical Board.
Talking to media, Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Pir Amin ul Hasnat Shah said the money of intending pilgrims has been deposited in interest free accounts.
An intending pilgrims’ application, if rejected on technical grounds despite success of his group, is advised to submit a written application to the joint secretary Hajj within a fortnight, the decision will be taken on merit.
This year 179,210 Pakistanis will perform Hajj under the Government Scheme including 59,210 through Private Hajj Scheme.
The pilgrims aspiring to travel from the northern region will have to pay Rs 280,000 and those who want to travel from southern region will have to pay Rs 270,000.
He said the PML-N government was committed to facilitate the Hajj pilgrims by making the best arrangements.
