Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Applications of some successful candidates under the government quote system for Hajj can be turned down on technical grounds.

Officials said that these include persons who had performed Hajj in the past seven years and had not selected Hajj al Badal or those who were mehrams of women who had performed Hajj in the past seven years.

Similarly, women whose applications were received without a mehram can also be barred from performing hajj.

Minister for Religious Affairs Cultural Harmony Sardar Yousaf had conducted the balloting for selecting successful Hajj applicants under the government scheme on Friday. Around 87,419 applicants were selected to perform Hajj under the government’s Hajj scheme. A total of 17,564 are on the waiting list over which the court holds the final say.

At least 87,419 applications were selected out of a total 338,696 forms. Under the 50 percent reserved quota of the ministry, 87,419 candidates were declared winner and have been informed through SMS.

An order of the court said that 50 percent of the 60 percent pilgrims have been declared finalists. Private Hajj organisers have challenged the ten percent quota of Hajj in the Sindh High Court. The Punjab Information Technology Board had assisted the ministry in the computerised lucky draw.

According to the federal minister, 179,210 candidates will perform Hajj this year and that for the first time, 394 senior citizens have been given immunity from the lucky draw. A young attendant each will be dispatched along with all 394 senior citizens, he added.

Sardar Yousaf said that the candidates who had won the lucky draw needed to submit their passports by May 10. However, those who fail to meet the deadline will be able to get their money from banks. The Hajj operation will begin on July 27 and will conclude by October 6, the minister said.

Successful applicants for this year will undergo intense training and guidance under supervision of renowned religious scholars and hajj pilgrims whereas strategy would be devised on tehsil and district level shortly to start the training programme. Audio and video cassettes will be used to make pilgrims aware of their religious obligations during hajj rituals.

Officials said that the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony had summoned details of hajj packages from private tour operators. “Talks were underway with the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to reduce fair,” they said.