ISLAMABAD:The last date to submit Hajj applications under the government scheme has been further extended till  July 7.

“Last date of submitting Hajj applications has been extended till July 7 due to Bank and two weekly holidays” said Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi while chairing a meeting.

The ministry would send 80,000 intending pilgrims under the government scheme to perform the most cherished religious obligation.

The applications are being received through designated bank branches of Allied Bank Limited, Habib Bank Limited, Muslim Commercial Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, United Bank Limited and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited.

The ministry had extended the last date to submit Hajj applications from June 25 to July 2 due to low turn out of applicants mainly caused by the condition of Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) imposed by the Saudi authorities for Hajj this year.

The ministry has issued directives to the bank branches receiving the Hajj applications for accepting the applications along with photocopies of the receipts from those aspirants who have applied for MRPs. 
 
An earlier report had said; the Ministry of Religious Affairs has so far received around 50,000 Hajj applications under the government scheme.

Last date for submitting the applications is July 2, while the ministry would send 80,000 intending pilgrims under the government scheme to perform the most cherished religious obligation.

The ministry had extended the last date to submit Hajj applications from June 25 to July 2 due to low turn out of applicants mainly caused by the condition of Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) imposed by the Saudi authorities for Hajj this year.

The ministry has issued directives to the bank branches receiving the Hajj applications for accepting the applications along with photocopies of the receipts from those aspirants who have applied for MRPs.

The applications are being received through designated bank branches of Allied Bank Limited, Habib Bank Limited, Muslim Commercial Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, United Bank Limited and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited.