ISLAMABAD - Over 245,000 Haj applications have been received so far by the countrywide branches of the designated banks, said an official of Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Sunday.
Talking to APP, he said the branches designated scheduled banks would remain open on Saturday and Sunday to facilitate the collection of Haj application forms under Government Haj Scheme 2016.
The Haj applications will be received till April 26.
The successful Hujjaj will be chosen through transparent balloting on April 29.
This year 143,368 Pakistanis will perform Haj including 86,021 under government scheme while 57,347 persons will perform the religious obligation under private scheme.
The pilgrims aspiring to travel from southern region will have to pay Rs 261,941 and those who want to travel from Northern region will have to pay Rs 270,941.
Pilgrims intending to offer sacrifice will have to pay Rs 13,340 additional.
The Ministry has decreased the hardship cases quota from five to three per cent in Haj Policy 2016 aiming to accommodate maximum pilgrims in the balloting.
Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) have been directed to deposit five per cent of each private package as performance guarantee for ensuring the provision of agreed facilities to private Hujjaj.
The Government Scheme Haj applicants must have international machine readable passport having validity up to March 10, 2017 to avoid inconvenience.
Takaful Fund has been established in Saudi Arabia for the protection of the Hujjaj.
Substantial compensation would be paid to each Haji in case of death, injury or disability.
Each Haji will have to deposit a sum of Rs 500 in Takaful fund for getting compensation. The deceased would be buried in Saudi Arabia as per set rules.
TRACKING SYSTEM FOR HUJJAJ THIS YEAR
Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Muhammad Aminul Hasnat has said that the govt had decided to introduce a special tracking system this year to know about the exact location of each person.
Talking to PTV News, the Minister said that for the purpose a device would be fixed in wrist watches, lockets or rings wearing by the Hujjaj (pilgrims) which would help the monitoring team keep their track.
Replying to a question, he said that food would be provided to the pilgrims of Government Haj Scheme during their stay in Makkah Mukarrammah, Madina Munawwarrah and Mashahir (Mina) as it was included in the package.
"The Hujjaj will also be provided with air cooler facility in Arfah," he added.
He said that pilgrims of Government Haj Scheme would be provided residential facilities within 500 meters near Haram Sharif.
He said all Hujjaj would be provided five liter `Zam-Zam' water in specially packed bottles upon their return to Pakistan.
He said that govt has launched a training programme for the Hujjaj to guide them throughout the whole trip.
He said that a comprehensive awareness campaign would also be launched on national media for the guidance of Hujjaj.
He assured that `Haj Mohafiz Scheme' based on concept of `Takaful' would continue this year.
Total 143,268 pilgrims would perform the sacred obligation, 60 per cent (86,021) under the Government Haj Scheme and 40 per cent (57,247) through Haj Group Organisers (HGOs).