Banks to remain open on weekend for Hajj applications

The last date to submit Hajj applications is 26th

The State Bank of Pakistan has announced that banks would remain open this weekend to receive Hajj applications, reported Radio Pakistan.

The last date to submit Hajj applications is April 26. Balloting will be held on 28th.

On April 12, the federal cabinet approved the Hajj Policy 2017, which allowed around 179,210 applicants to perform Hajj this year after an agreement was signed with Saudi Arabia for an enhanced quota.

In the past, Pakistan’s Hajj quota was fixed at 143,368 applicants. The quota was reduced in 2013 because of the expansion work at the Grand Mosque.



According to the Hajj Policy, after names of the successful pilgrims are announced, they can withdraw their dues from respective bank branches immediately.

Under the government scheme, applicants who have performed Hajj during the last seven years will not be eligible to apply this year.

For private schemes, those who performed Hajj during the last five years will not be eligible.

According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the total Hajj package for people travelling from the northern region will be Rs280,000 and for people travelling from the southern region, including Karachi, Quetta and Sukkur, will be Rs270,000.



In 2017, 179,210 pilgrims will offer Hajj, of them 60 per cent, or 107,526 , will avail the government-sponsored Hajj scheme/government quota.

The rest of 40 per cent, or 71,684, will go through private scheme.

In addition, two per cent of the total seats under the government scheme will be reserved for hardship cases. The quota has been reserved for broken families, newborn infants whose parents are going for Hajj and intend to carry their children with them.

Hardship quota is allocated on equitable basis to applicants belonging to far-off/rural areas including towns in Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan.