Haj applications balloting today

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs would conduct the ballot for Haj applications under the government scheme today (Tuesday), the official spokesperson said.The spokesman said the Minister for Religious Affairs, Noorul Haq Qadri, would conduct the ballot of Haj applications of as many as 216, 542 intending pilgrims this year. It was also mentioned that the draw was delayed by a day upon the request from the banks.The government has directed all the banks to complete online entries at the earliest and ensure the accuracy of the updated records of pilgrims who could not be picked for the Haj ballot in the last three years, the spokesman maintained. The authorities have also directed banks to quickly clear the cheques and drafts of the Haj pilgrims.The government opened the submission of Haj applications for this year on February 25. Later, an extension in the deadline was announced till March 9, which concluded on Saturday. As many as 200,000 people would perform Haj from Pakistan this year. While 60 per cent have applied under the government scheme, the remaining would undertake the journey with private tour operators.

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