ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Aneeq Ahmed, has announced the results of the balloting for the upcoming Hajj, along with new additional facilities for the pilgrims.
Under the Regular Hajj Scheme, a total of 69,438 applications were received, out of which 63,805 applicants were successfully selected through the balloting process. For the 5,633 unsuccessful applicants, a waiting list has been compiled based on their respective cities of departure.
In the case of withdrawal by intending pilgrims from a specific city, applicants on the waiting list from that city will be selected.
All applicants will receive notifications tonight through mobile SMS, the official website, or the designated mobile app. The Sponsorship Scheme will remain open until Sunday.
Minister Aneeq Ahmed highlighted that, for the first time, Pakistani authorities are facilitating a short Hajj. Among the applicants, 56 percent are women, and 44 percent are men.
To enhance the pilgrim experience, the Minister announced that each pilgrim will receive a suitcase with a QR code to prevent any loss of belongings. Moreover, every pilgrim will be provided with a data bundle of 7 gigabytes.
These measures aim to streamline the Hajj process and provide improved services to the pilgrims, ensuring a smoother and more secure experience during this sacred journey.
