ISLAMABAD – The government has announced the new Hajj Policy under which 179, 210 hopeful pilgrims will perform Hajj this year.
Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced the policy at a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The Federal Cabinet has already approved the new Hajj policy.
The minister said that 120,000 intending pilgrims will be selected under the government scheme while 59,210 will be selected under private Hajj scheme.
He said applications will be received from 15th to 24th of the next month. The balloting will be conducted on 26th of next month. He said 10,000 intending pilgrims above 80 years will be selected through a separate ballot and if the number is higher then those who are older will be preferred.
Similarly, 10,000 applications will be selected among those applicants who could not succeed in the last three years and their applications will also be included in the general balloting.
Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said that Hajj package 2018 for North region is Rs280,000 and Rs270,000 for South region. Each intending pilgrim will deposit additional Rs13,050 for the sacrificial animals.
There will be no change in the Hajj package but the stay may be reduced from 38 to 30 days.
He said Hajj applications will be received through branches of the selected banks.
