90,000 to perform Haj under Govt Scheme
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—As many as 90,000 pilgrims were selected to perform Hajj-2006 under government scheme through computerized balloting held here on Monday. Minister for Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr, Muhammad Ejaz- ul-Haq presided over the balloting ceremony.
Minister of State for Religious Affairs, Aamir Liaquat Hussain, Secretary Religious Affairs, Vakil Ahmed Khan were also present. Speaking on the occasion Ejaz-ul-Haq said that 86,196 applicants have been selected for this year’s Hajj through balloting under the government scheme. While 3,154 applicants who failed to get selected for Hajj in 2004 and 2005 have also been selected. Upto 500 applicants were selected against labour quota and 150 applicants would perform Hajj against quota of Hajj Foundation. The result of the balloting can also be seen at the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ website www.hajjinfo.org. The Minister said the policy for Hajj-2006 was approved on July 11 this year while applications for government and private schemes were received till August 15. He said a total of 138,656 applications were received under government scheme for white and green residential categories. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had directed to airlift 90,000 applicants to Saudi Arabia for Hajj under government scheme while 60,000 pilgrims would be sent through private tour operators, he added.
Ejaz-ul-Haq congratulated the officials of the Ministry for timely completing data entry of applications and other arrangements. He also informed that buildings for residential accommodation for more than 80,000 Pakistani pilgrims have been acquired. for the remaining 10,000 pilgrims buildings would be arranged before Ramazan, he added. About Umra season, he said the government is making all out efforts to avoid difficulties faced by the Umra pilgrims last year.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Saudi Airlines have made good arrangements to bring back Umra pilgrims in accordance with the schedule, he added. He, however, pointed out that 52,000 Umra pilgrims are on overstay in Saudi Arabia and the Saudi government is taking appropriate steps to send them back. Responding to a question, he said the matter regarding registration of Madaris is going ahead properly. The draft of the ordinance after incorporating changes suggested by the Ulema has been sent to representatives of Wafaq-ul- Madaris for approval. The amended ordinance would be presented to the Parliament in its next session, he added.
As per detail, Haj policy has approved on July 11 and as per policy, applications through government and private schemes have been received till August 15. The Ministry received as many as 138,656 applications through government scheme in which 69,025 applications included for ‘White Residence’ and 69,130 application were for Green Residence’.
As per Prime Minister decision around 90 thousands Pakistanis would perform Haj through government scheme and names those persons who were failed in forming Haj last year had been included without draw. It is learnt that 86,196 people were included those persons who have been failed in performing Haj last year, 3,154 people from labour quota, 150 were from quota for Haj foundation.