There would be no further extension in last date of submitting Hajj applications under the private scheme after the deadline of August 31, said Joint Secretary (Hajj) Ministry of Religious Affairs Aftab-ul-Islam Raja here Sunday.
"The Ministry will not entertain any application after expiry of the deadline of August 31," he told APP in an exclusive talk. He said earlier, the last date had been extended on the recommendations of the Senate Standing Committee and request of Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs), keeping in view the difficulties being faced by the intending pilgrims in getting the Machine Readable Passports.
This year, he said the Ministry had announced the new Hajj policy well before time and all necessary arrangements were being made ahead of schedule.
Aftab-ul-Islam said administering seasonal and swine flu vaccines were mandatory for intending pilgrims and they would have to carry with them medical certificates as per directives of the Saudi government. He said as many as 160,000 intending pilgrims would perform the forthcoming Hajj under the government and private schemes. The Ministry would send 80,000 intending pilgrims for Hajj while remaining will be sent through HGOs, he added.
Elaborating further, the Joint Secretary informed that this time around 589 registered HGOs had been allocated quota. He said that as per directions of the Saudi authorities, no new induction of HGOs would be undertaken for Hajj 2009. Responding to a question, he said the entire Hajj operation would be conducted in accordance with the prescribed schedule.
The first Hajj flight is scheduled to take off on October 22 whereas the last Hajj flight would depart on November 23. A total of 146,547 intending pilgrims will be airlifted by the Pakistan International Airlines, while Saudi Airlines has also agreed to ferry 13,100 pilgrims from Pakistan.
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