ISLAMABAD: The ministry of religious affairs and interfaith harmony will start receiving Haj applications under the government scheme from today (Monday), Geo News reported.Applicants would be able to submit their forms to 14 designated banks until March 6. The computerised balloting will be held on March 8. According to the Haj policy released by the ministry of religious affairs and interfaith harmony, nearly 184,210 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Haj this year.Earlier, the government had released a memo listing the 27 important features of the Haj Policy 2019. They are as follows:1. Haj quota allocated to Pakistan is 179,210 + 5,000.2. Government Haj Scheme 2019 shall be implemented through the government and private Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) with 60:40 ratio.3. The additional quota of 5,000 will be allotted to newly-enrolled, non-quota-holding companies.4. There shall be no free Haj.5. The Haj dues for Haj 2019 under the Government Haj Scheme will be Rs436,975 and Rs426,975 for North (which includes Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Multan, and Rahim Yar Khan) and South (which comprises Karachi, Quetta, and Sukkur), respectively. Qurbani charges will be Rs19,451 (optional).6. Haj dues for infants (born after 15.9.17 or September 15, 2017) under Government Haj Scheme will be Rs12,910 and Rs11,910 for North and South, respectively.7. International Machine Readable Pakistani Passport (IMRPP) valid up to 10.2.20 (or February 2, 2020) and a valid CNIC will be required for submission of Haj applications in the banks.8. Applications under the Government Haj Scheme will be received in fourteen (14) designated banks — which include Habib Bank Ltd, United Bank Ltd, National Bank of Pakistan, MCB Bank Ltd, Allied Bank Ltd, Bank of Punjab, Meezan Bank, Bank Al-Falah, Bank Al-Habib, Zarai Taraqiati Bank, Faysal Bank, Habibmetro Bank Ltd, Askari Bank, and Dubai Islamic Bank — from February 25 to March 6, and balloting will be held on March 8, 2019.9. Haj dues will be deposited in Shariah-compliant accounts/instruments by the designated banks.10. The selection of Hujjaj of the Government Haj Scheme will be made through computerised balloting.11. In total, 10,000 seats would be reserved for senior citizens (above the age of 80 years). Female pilgrims above the age of 80 years may be accompanied by female helpers along with their joint ‘mehram’ while aged male pilgrims may be accompanied by one helper.12. In total, 10,000 seats would be reserved for persons, who have been unsuccessful in ballot continuously for the last three years, ie 2016, 2017 and 2018.13. 1.5% of the total seats under Government Haj Scheme will be reserved for hardship cases.14. Five hundred seats will be reserved for labour/low-paid employees of companies registered with the Employees Old-age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and the Workers Welfare Fund (WWF), sponsored by their respective organisations under their Corporate Social Responsibility.15. Those applicants, including Haj-e-Badal/Nafal Haj, would be entertained who have not performed Haj under the Government Haj Scheme for the last five years ie from 2014 and onward. This restriction will not apply to ‘mehram’ of a woman and those who want to avail the private Haj scheme.16. It would be mandatory for a female pilgrim of any age to be accompanied by a ‘mehram’. However, in the case of Fiqah Jafria female pilgrim above the age of 45 years, a mandatory condition of ‘mehram’ shall be implemented in the light of the Saudi taleemat.17. Hujjaj Mohafiz Scheme based on the concept of “Takaful” will continue in Haj Policy 2019.18. A comprehensive awareness and training campaign will be launched for Hujjaj and welfare staff.19. Each HGO is required to submit performance guarantee at 5% and 10% of packages (package x quota) for old and new HGOs, respectively, in the form of bank/cash guarantee, which will be released on satisfactory performance.20. Monitoring and supervision mechanism for Haj operation of both government and private schemes will be ensured.21. To facilitate Hujjaj, the Haj Medical Mission, Moavineen-i-Hujjaj, seasonal staff of MORA and IH, and KSA-based Moavineen-i-Hujjaj will be deputed as per requirement in KSA (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) for Haj 2019.22. All the Hujjaj will be provided five litres of ZamZam water.23. Some new initiatives are under process to be introduced for Haj 2019, ie, launching of “Road to Makkah” project at JIA (Jinnah International Airport), Karachi.24. Negotiations are under way with KSA authorities for the introduction of E-Visa facility to the Hujjaj for Haj 2019 to meet the international standards.25. Temporary Haji Camp will be established in Gilgit and Hujjaj from Gilgit to Islamabad Airport will be transported through buses on government expense.26. Hujjaj from the Quetta POD will be airlifted directly to KSA.27. Biometric verification arrangements will be made in the far-flung districts of Skardu, Turbat, Khuzdar, Chitral and Muzaffarabad.
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