ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Sunday announced the results of Hajj applications balloting.
As per the results, 31,253 intending Hajj pilgrims’ names came out in the balloting to perform Hajj under the government scheme.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Federal Minister Maulana Asad Mahmood said that 63,604 applications were received under the government Hajj scheme this year.
He said that the money of non-selected applicants would be returned through banks while the successful candidates would be notified through SMS.
The Federal Minister said that due to COVID-19, only locals were allowed to perform Hajj in 2020 and 2021 and the announcement of Hajj was delayed by the Saudi government this year, so we had very little time to prepare for Hajj. Has assured that all possible steps will be taken to facilitate the pilgrims.
Mahmood said that due to the age limit, a large number of people could not submit applications this year. He hoped that next year the Saudi government will increase the age limit.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the official Hajj expenses have reached Rs.7 lack – Rs.10 lack this year while the number of applications received this year was less.
It should be noted that in Hajj 2022, the total quota of Pakistan is 81,132 pilgrims. This will be divided between government and private Hajj tour operators with a ratio of 60/40.
