Ministry orders closing of Hajj application submissions

More than 90,000 applications received by Ministry of Religious Affairs, 179,000 immigrants to perform Hajj this year.

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs on Friday asked banks across the country to stop accepting Hajj applications as the government had received more than the required number.

The government has received more than 90,000 applications to date, while more than 82,000 applications have to be accommodated through the government scheme.

The collection of Hajj applications had commenced on April 15 on a first come, first serve basis.

Political workers, journalists and even government officials were required to pay the Hajj fee in advance. An increase of 20,000 pilgrims has been registered in the country’s Hajj quota, and no one will be allowed to perform Hajj for free.

The pilgrims who submitted their applications first are expected to be given accommodation near the Masjid-al-Haram.

Earlier, Federal Minister for Labour and Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah had said a total number of 179,000 Pakistanis will be performing the Hajj pilgrimage this year.