August 21, 2008	Thursday	Sha'aban 18, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 20: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has extended the date for submitting Haj applications till August 25 in the conflict-ridden areas of the NWFP.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Religious Affairs Maulana Ahmad Saeed Kazmi told the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs on Wednesday that the date had been extended because a number of people from Swat, Malakand, and Bajaur and Kurram agencies could not submit applications due to ongoing conflicts in these areas.

Chaired by Senator Maulana Samiul Haq, the adviser briefed the committee on the Haj policy and the quota approved for tour operators. He said out of 165,000 Pakistanis, around 85,000 would perform Haj under the government and 80,000 under the group organisers’ scheme.

Maulana Kazmi said 140,000 Haj applications had been received so far and the balloting was likely to be held on September 20.

The committee was told that under a policy decision Saudi Arabia would not entertain new tour operators for three years. He said applications from 591 tour operators had so far been received.

The committee urged the government to try to provide maximum facilities to the pilgrims.

Maulana Samiul Haq said that special attention should be paid to early balloting and bringing down the Haj expenses.

Meanwhile, Dr Abdul Hameed Al-Fattah, Cultural Attaché of the Saudi Embassy, who called on the PM’s adviser on religious affairs, announced that his country would sponsor some eminent educationists from Pakistan for Haj 2008-09.