ISLAMABAD, June 11: Minister for Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr Ijaz-ul-Haq on Friday said that the Saudi government has increased the Haj quota and now 150,000 Pakistanis would perform next Haj.

Speaking at a press conference after returning from a six-day visit to Saudi Arabia, he said that 100,000 aspirants would perform Haj under government while 50,000 under the private scheme.

He informed that an agreement to this effect had been signed between him and the Saudi Haj Minister, Ayad Madni during the visit. He said if the number of applicants exceeded 150,000, there would be a ballot.

Ijaz-ul-Haq said under the Saudi regulations, Haj service agents and Haj group organizers were being brought under a system for which the ministry had started their registration.

As the Saudi government had agreed to previous space of accommodation, which is three square feet for each pilgrim, the rent was being decreased, he said. He said those travelling from either Karachi or Quetta would now pay an amount of Rs97,815, while those from other stations would pay Rs101,215. -APP