Govt plans to accept all Hajj applications

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar on Thursday announced that the government was planning to accept all the applications of intending pilgrims without balloting.

Addressing a news conference along with Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Mufti Abdul Shakoor, Dar said that as many as 72,869 applications were received under the government's Regular Hajj Scheme against the quota of 44,190.

Read more: Banks to accept Hajj applications from March 16 to 31

He said that finance ministry had planned to accept all the applications of Hujjaj under the guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the desire of religious affairs minister.

Dar said that extra foreign exchange reserve for Hujjaj would be provided on the direction of PM Shehbaz and with the support State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

He urged that intended pilgrims should pray for progress and prosperity of Pakistan for achieving the past glory.