ISLAMABAD, Oct 6: All Haji camps established at Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Karachi and Quetta will start receiving applications under the Open Haj Scheme 2002, from November 1.

The Haji camps started issuing application forms from September 1, which will be received between November 1 and 14, by the same Haji camp that issued them, official sources in the ministry of religious affairs, zakat and ushr said here on Friday.

Under this scheme, each applicant will be required to make the following arrangements: international passport, air ticket, confirmed accommodation in the holy cities duly attested by Director (H), Makkah Mukarramah SR 5 per person, foreign exchange as per regulations of State Bank of Pakistan and Rs2,000 to be paid to the ministry of religious affairs as processing fee deposited in the Pilgrims Welfare Fund, the sources said.

These pilgrims will be allowed to find accommodation at Harmain-i-Sharifain, an airline of their choice, and continue their journey to any other country after performing Haj.

The government has also announced an Open Haj Scheme for those people who do not intended to perform Haj under government arrangements.

A total of 120,000 Pakistani pilgrims, 75,000 under sponsorship scheme and 45,000 regular scheme, would perform Haj—2002. —APP

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