Balloting for Hajj scheme to begin today

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Thursday (today) will conduct balloting to pick intending pilgrims for performing Hajj this year under the government scheme.

Noorul Haq Qadri, the religious minister, would conduct the balloting, according to an official.

A total of 149,330 applications had already been received for performing the sacred religious obligation under the Government Hajj scheme.

As many as 179,210 Pakistanis will perform Hajj this year – including 107,526 under the government scheme and 71,684 under the private scheme. Around 1.5 per cent (1,613) of the Government Hajj scheme has been reserved to accommodate hardship cases, which include broken family, new born baby and attendants/helpers.

As many as 500 seats has been reserved for accommodating low-paid employees of public sector/corporate organisations, companies registered with the Employees Old-Age Benefit Institution/Workers Welfare Fund.

Likewise, 10,000 seats have been reserved for senior citizens of over 70 years age.