ISLAMABAD, Feb 9: The Ministry of Information Technology here on Wednesday approved a Rs30 million project for automation of submission and processing of Haj applications.

The approval came at a meeting of the Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) of the ministry. Once completed and functional, the project would lessen the difficulties faced by the intending Hajis.

The project had been initiated on the directives of Information Technology Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and prepared by the Electronic Government Directorate, a subsidiary of the ministry of information technology.

A statement issued here quoted Mr Leghari as saying that the project would involve establishing a software system for the Haj Wing of the ministry of religious affairs, which would become a single point of access for all major services.