The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has announced that it has received over 72,000 applications for the Hajj under the government scheme as the deadline approaches on Tuesday.
According to ministry spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt, applications will continue to be accepted at designated banks on Monday and Tuesday, marking the final opportunity for submissions under the Government Hajj Scheme.
Umar Butt also mentioned that applicants can join their relatives’ Hajj groups for added convenience. For the Regular Hajj Scheme, applicants must deposit an initial payment of Rs200,000, with a second installment of Rs400,000 (including additional facilities) required within ten days of the balloting.
The final payment is due by February 10. Additionally, overseas Pakistanis are eligible to sponsor Hajj applications for themselves or their relatives, facilitating their participation in the pilgrimage through this program.
He noted that the initiative aims to streamline the Hajj process while ensuring transparency and convenience for applicants.
The spokesperson also highlighted the ministry’s 40th Annual National Hifz and Qirat Competition announcement. Nominations have been invited from all four provinces, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
District and provincial-level competitions have been scheduled, with provinces required to finalize and submit their nominations by January 15. Winners at the provincial level will advance to the national-level competition.
Umar emphasized that national-level winners will be able to represent Pakistan in international competitions, showcasing their Quranic knowledge and recitation skills globally.
This year’s competition will feature separate categories for boys, girls, and youth, ensuring equal opportunities for participants of various age groups and regions. Umar added that this initiative aims to promote Quranic education and nurture young talent nationwide.
