68,800 Haj applicants declared successful

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi on Wednesday inaugurated computerised balloting for Haj 2010 under the government scheme.
According to details, a total of 86,000 applications of intending pilgrims were received for Haj under the government scheme. Under the government scheme, a total of 80,000 pilgrims are to perform Haj this year. Out of them, as many as 68,800 were declared successful in balloting while the remaining 11,200 who could not make it for the last two years, have been accommodated without balloting. Speaking on the occasion the Minister said the successful candidates would have to submit their original International Machine Readable Passports with their respective bank branches within four days after the date of balloting.
This year, 79,647 pilgrims would perform the religious obligation under the regular scheme. The applicants who remained unsuccessful in the ballot during last two years consecutively have been selected without draw, he added.
The Minister said that the intending pilgrims for Haj-2009 who could not proceed due to negligence of some Haj Group Organisers have also been selected without draw this year.
The Minister said one-month pre-Haj flight operation would start from October 10 in which Pakistan International Airlines and Saudi Airlines would participate to airlift pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. He said, each pilgrim would be allowed free baggage up to 32-kg and hand carry not exceeding 7-kg. Excessive baggage, if any, would be charged from passengers at the rate of 15 Saudi Riyals per kg, he informed, adding each Haji would be allowed a 10-litter Aabe-Zam-Zam bottle on their return back to country.
Intending pilgrims can also check their names through mobile phone by simply writing HS (Space) First six digits of application form number and sending on 2121 and on Ministry website. “Intending pilgrims who are unable to proceed on the holy journey due to floods, must inform the ministry immediately so that their deposited amounts could be paid back at the earliest,” Minister added.