During a news conference on Thursday, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar announced that the government would accept all applications of intending pilgrims without balloting. The decision was made under the guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and with the support of Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Mufti Abdul Shakoor.
The government’s Regular Hajj Scheme had received 72,869 applications against a quota of 44,190, prompting the finance ministry to plan for the acceptance of all applications. Dar stated that extra foreign exchange reserves for the Hajj pilgrims would be provided, with the support of the State Bank of Pakistan, as directed by PM Shehbaz.
Dar also encouraged intended pilgrims to pray for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, in order to regain past glory. The government’s decision to accept all applications without balloting is a step towards ensuring that more people can fulfill their religious obligations without facing any hurdles.
