Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Vakil Ahmed Khan on Thursday said that the ministry had received about 95,000 applications from people to perform Haj against 75,000 seats till now.
Speaking in a PTV programme, he expressed the hope that banks would receive about 115,000 at the end of last date announced by the ministry. He added that under Haj policy approved by the ministry, computer ballot would decide 75,000 lucky people to perform Haj during the current year. He said during 2006 Haj, about 150,000 pilgrims would perform Haj, including 75,000 under the government scheme while 70,000 under private tour operators.
To a question he said data entry would take 20 days for balloting, adding at the same day application numbers and names would be put on ministry's website. The secretary said people would be given priority to perform Haj during current season without any balloting, who were not selected during January 2006 Haj.
He said the ministry would not extend further date to submit applications.
He urged applicants to make groups themselves keeping in view their relations. This time the ministry had sent 14-page book along with Haj form, which would provide guidelines in filling the form, he added.
He said that about 1928 limited companies had applied for carrying people to perform Haj, which are equally qualified for doing the job. He said selection of tour operators would be decided in next two days to carry 15,000 people to perform Haj.