Banks received over 375,000 applications for 2018 Govt Hajj scheme: Sardar Yousaf  

RAWALPINDI: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has said that the banks received over 375,000 applications for 2018 Government Hajj Scheme while 120,000 intending Hajj pilgrims would be sent to Saudi Arabia.

Due to excellent Hajj arrangements made last year by Pakistan government in Saudi Arabia, record number of applications were submitted this year by the citizens for the government Hajj scheme.

He said this while talking to media after performing a ground breaking ceremony of a Jamia Masjid Fatima uz Zahra here at Adiala Road.

He said, the government has formulated a policy to facilitate the intending hajj pilgrims.       Sardar Yousaf to a question informed that a quota of 65,000 Hujjaj would be given to the private sector so that they could also send the intending Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia .

He further said, the government had adopted a transparent policy for 2018 Hajj scheme and an excellent policy was formulated. Different committees formed in this regard were approved by federal cabinet, he added.

The Minister hoped that the Supreme Court would soon announce a verdict in Hajj quota case.

He said, the government is also striving for the resolution of the problems being faced by prayer leaders (Imam Masajid).

Sardar Yousaf said, all out efforts would be made to facilitate the Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and best arrangements would be made like last years.

Submission of record number of applications reflect the citizens’ confidence on government hajj scheme as last year, the Pakistani Hujjaj were satisfied with the arrangements made in Saudi Arabia, he added.

To another question he said, uniform prayer timings (Nizam-e-Salat) was prepared for federal capital but, it could not be implemented fully, adding, a national Ulema and Mashaikh Council at central level was constituted which would also play a role to address issues of Imam Masajid.

He said, support of the citizens particularly traders and civil society needed to implement uniform prayer timings in Islamabad.

On the occasion, Moulana Abdul Majeed Hazarvi from Jamia Farqania, Rawalpindi, Moulana Qari Wali ur Rehman Sajid, Shafqat Umar Bhatti and other ulema and Mashaikh were present.