Chairman Punjab IT Board (PITB) Dr Umar Saif has said that nearly 0.25 million applications for Hajj had been received through online system devised by the PITB in collaboration with the federal Ministry of Religious Affairs so far while April 26 is the last day to receive applications. He stated this while addressing a meeting held at Arfa Software Technology Park to review the system on Monday.
He said, "The transparent balloting will be held at Islamabad on April 29, in which 83,440 lucky applicants will be selected to perform the Hajj under government scheme this year. This time, Hajj process has been made more secured and comfortable by introducing a tracking devise to be provided to each pilgrim without extra charges. The tracking bracelet or locket will be connected to the main dashboard enabling it to locate the position of each pilgrim round the clock."
Dr Saif further said that after Government Hajj Scheme balloting, the process of online registration for private Hujjaj would be started within a month. "The Government of Pakistan has allocated 40 percent quota under private Hajj Scheme to benefit 57,347 pilgrims. The online registration system will be same as for the government scheme through Hajj Group organisers across Pakistan. As per routine, PITB will also set up help lines for the pilgrims both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They may use these help lines to get any information about training, flight schedules, lost luggage and residence details," he added.