More than 0.25m Hajj applications received so far: PITB

PITB chairman said that pilgrims would be provided a tracking device without any extra charge

LAHORE:

Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) Chairman Dr Umar Saif said on Monday that more than 250,000 Hajj applications had been received through the online system devised by the PITB so far.

He was addressing a meeting held at Arfa Software Technology Park to review the system. “Balloting will be held in Islamabad on April 29 to select 83,440 applicants who will perform Hajj under the government scheme this year. Across the country, 6,280 branches of designated banks, connected to the online registration system, have been receiving applications since April 18, 2016,” he said.

Saif said that pilgrims would be provided a tracking device without any extra charge. “The tracking bracelet or locket will be connected to the main dashboard enabling it to locate the position of each pilgrim,” he said.



He said after the balloting, the process of online registration for private scheme would be started. “The government has allocated 40 per cent quota for private organisers – [57,347 pilgrims]. The online registration system will be the same for them. The PITB will also set up helplines for pilgrims both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They may use these to get any information about training, flight schedules, lost luggage and details of residential arrangements,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2016.