ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar announced on Thursday that the government was planning to avoid balloting and accept all the applications of intending pilgrims.
Addressing a press conference along with Minister for Religious Affairs Mufti Abdul Shakoor, Dar said that 72,869 applications were received under the regular scheme of the government against the quota of 44,190.
He further said that the finance ministry plans to accept all applications under the guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Religious Ministry also desired so.
He said that the extra foreign exchange reserve for the pilgrims would be provided at the direction of PM Sharif and with the support State Bank of Pakistan.
He urged the intended Hujjaj to pray for Pakistan’s progress, development and prosperity so it could again achieve its past glory.
Less-than expected applications
Contrary to Dar’s claims, it seems that the reasons for the decision are mainly financial.
The government had hoped to raise dollars for the scheme, but less-than-expected applications were received from overseas Pakistanis.
Due to this, the religious affairs ministry will require an additional $33 million.
Before deciding to send all applicants on Hajj, the government had considered sending back some of the quotas to Saudi Arabia’s authorities.
