ISLAMABAD Aug 17: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has so far received 105,254 Haj applications and expects to recive another 10,000 against the quota of 90,000 under the official Haj scheme.

Last year 149,884 Pakistanis had performed Haj against the quota of 130,000, Secretary Religious Affairs Vakil Khan informed Dawn. He said the government of Saudia Arabia had strictly fixed the quota for this year and there were no chances of any increase.

The ministry, he said, had worked out a plan to make it convenient for pilgrims to perform Haj.

Every seat falling vacant as a result of withdrawal by any applicant would immediately be filled by the applicant next in line.

The ministry has decided not to allow anyone who has performed Haj over the past five years. However, if some seats remain vacant then a few such applicants would be considered.

Meanwhile, the ministry has started hiring buildings in Saudia Arabia to accommodate the pilgrims and has so far acquired 207 houses against a target of 422.

The distribution of residential quarters in Makkah and Madina among pilgrims would be done through a computer draw to avoid any discrimination.