Deadline for Haj medical certificates extended till April 30

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Friday extended the deadline for the submission of medical certificates for pilgrims registered under the government’s Hajj scheme.

According to a notification issued by Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the Hajj pilgrims could submit their medical certificates in the designated banks till 30 April.

The notification further stated the extension was made following the current situation of lockdowns due to coronavirus outbreak.

On March 26, it emerged that Saudi government had stopped Pakistan from finalising agreements relating to Hajj 2020 arrangements amid coronavirus pandemic.

According to a letter written by Saudi Hajj Minister Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten to Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noor ul Haq Qadri, “Pakistan was asked to stop finalizing its agreements regarding housing, food and travel arrangements for now”.

According to Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, as many as 149,295 Hajj applications were received this year out of which 105,413 had been selected under government scheme through computerized open balloting.

The ministry had also said 7,648 applicants, who remained unsuccessful for last three consecutive years, had been selected without balloting.