Second Hajj balloting to be held tomorrow

Saudi crown prince had sanctioned 16,000 additional Hajj quota for Pakistan on request of PM Imran

Minister for Religious Affairs has announced to hold second Hajj balloting for an additional quota under government scheme in Islamabad on Monday.

In an interview with Radio Pakistan, Ministry of Religious Affairs spokesperson Imran Siddiqi said that Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman had announced a gift of 16,000 additional Hajj quota for Pakistan on the request of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He said, earlier Pakistan's quota was 1,84,210  which has now been enhanced to 200,000 this year.

According to the spokesperson, 40 per cent of the additional quota will be allocated to private Hajj operators, while rest of the quota will be distributed under government scheme for which balloting will be held tomorrow (Monday).

Intending pilgrims, who remained unsuccessful in the first phase will be eligible for balloting and those who have withdrawn their money from banks will get another chance of being selected, he added.

Siddiqi said successful applicants will be informed through SMS and those who have withdrawn their Hajj dues will be given time to redeposit the sum.

Saudi Arabia had included Pakistan in its “Road to Makkah” project, which will allow pilgrims to undergo immigration clearance at Pakistani airports before leaving for Hajj.

Riyadh, on the request of Premier Imran , also decided to provide e-visa facility to Pakistani pilgrims. Under the facility, intending pilgrims will be provided visas at their doorstep.