ISLAMABAD: The ministry of religious affairs and interfaith harmony has postponed the second balloting for distribution of additional quota among unsuccessful applicants of the government Haj scheme, according to a spokesman of the ministry.

In a statement issued on Sunday, he said the new date of balloting would be announced after getting approval from the federal cabinet.

Referring to some media, reports, he said the balloting for extra Haj quota would not be held on Monday.

Flight schedule expected to be announced in second week of June

It merits mentioning here that the Saudi government has given an additional Haj quota of 16,000 to Pakistan. Out of which 60 per cent will be allocated to the remaining applicants of the government Haj scheme, who were declared unsuccessful in the recent balloting.

All unsuccessful applicants would be included in the balloting despite withdrawing money from their respective bank branches. However, they would have to deposit dues within four days of their selection.

This year 216,542 applications were received, out of which 107,526 were declared successful in the balloting conducted on March 11.

The ministry would announce Haj flight schedule in second week of June, 2019, an official said.

Talking to APP, he said the details of Haj flights would also be available on the ministry’s website.

The intending pilgrims would be informed about their flight schedule, building, Maktab number and other relevant details through SMS and letters.

According to a tentative schedule, the month-long pre-Haj flights will be started in the first week of July.

The official urged intending pilgrims to benefit from the ministry’s ongoing extensive training programmes which will help them perform Haj in accordance with the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

He also urged intending pilgrims to benefit from Haj training material available at the ministry’s website and the ministry’s Facebook link.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2019