Computerized balloting of 50 percent quota under government Hajj scheme 2018 was held in Islamabad on Thursday.  

Minister of State for Religious Affairs Pir Aminul Hasnat presided over the balloting ceremony. 

The names of 87,813 fortunate people were announced in the draw. 

Under the scheme, 179,210 intending pilgrims will perform Hajj this year.

The federal cabinet at its meeting yesterday had allowed the Ministry to immediately carry out Hajj balloting for 50 percent of the total quota of Hajj pilgrims.

The cabinet took the decision after reviewing current state of legal proceedings and the need to communicate maximum number of Hajj pilgrims to Saudi authorities before 3rd March, for finalizing flight schedules.

A total of  3,74,857 applications were received from across the country.

All Hajj applicants will be informed about the results through SMS today and the successful applicants will have to submit their passports in their respective bank branches after notification by the Ministry while the unsuccessful applicants can get their amounts refunded.       

Earlier, briefing the media persons, Minister of State for Religious Affairs Pir Aminul Hasnat said that the Government started the Hajj balloting early this year to arrange the best possible facilities for the pilgrims during the Hajj.

He expressed the hope that the case pending before the Islamabad High Court on a petition by private tour operators will be disposed of soon so that the deadline by Saudi Ministry of Hajj for issuance of visas can be met and the Hajj arrangements finalized.

Pir Amin ul Hasnat said people above eighty years of age and people whose applications were being rejected for the last three years will have ten thousand quota each.   

He said due to increase in taxes in Saudi Arabia, an increase of thirty two thousand six hundred rupees was to be made in the Hajj package of each Pakistani but the Government has decided to bear this extra expenditure and the applications for Hajj, 2018 were received in accordance with the package of last year.

He said a committee has been set up for re-assessment of private Hajj schemes which will submit its report to the Hajj Policy Formulation Committee and a quota will be allotted on the basis of its recommendations.