ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 : Despite heavy floods in most parts of the country, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has not received any application so far from the intending pilgrims, requesting withdrawal from performing Hajj. It was expected that a large number of the successful candidates would contact the ministry to get their names dropped, citing their inability to perform Hajj following the massive destruction caused by the floods. Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi talking to APP said that the Ministry has not received such applications so far.
However, there could be possibility that the intending pilgrims belonging to the calamity-hit areas would have contacted with those designated bank branches where they had submitted their Hajj applications, he said.
Kazmi said the ministry would ensure reimbursement of intending pilgrims’ amounts deposited in banks as soon as it receives any such application.
He said unsuccessful candidates in Hajj-2010 balloting were approaching the ministry for including their names in place of the dropping out successful applicants, if any.
“A waiting list of Hujjaj has also been arranged to accommodate them, if some successful candidates belonging to flood affected areas of the country withdraw from performing Hajj,” he added.
The ministry on August 11 had selected 68,800 intending pilgrims through the computerized balloting, out of total 86,000 applicants to be sent to Saudi Arabia for performing Hajj under the government scheme.
This year, 79,647 Hujjaj would perform the religious obligation under the regular scheme. The applicants who remained unsuccessful in the ballot during last two years consecutively were also selected without draw.
The intending pilgrims for Hajj-2009, who could not proceed due to negligence of some Hajj Group Organizers were also selected without balloting.
As many as 160,000 intending pilgrims would perform Hajj this year under the government and private schemes.
Commenting on flood relief activities, the minister said the federal government in collaboration with provincial governments and all concerned departments has launched a massive relief operation to mitigate sufferings of the flood affected people.
He said each and every member of the federal cabinet was taking active part in relief efforts being carried out in the flood-hit areas.
Kazmi said he distributed more than 3,000 ration packets among the affected families in his constituency - Liaquat Pur.
Kazmi said the ministry would ensure reimbursement of intending pilgrims’ amounts deposited in banks as soon as it receives any such application.
He said unsuccessful candidates in Hajj-2010 balloting were approaching the ministry for including their names in place of the dropping out successful applicants, if any.
“A waiting list of Hujjaj has also been arranged to accommodate them, if some successful candidates belonging to flood affected areas of the country withdraw from performing Hajj,” he added.
The ministry on August 11 had selected 68,800 intending pilgrims through the computerized balloting, out of total 86,000 applicants to be sent to Saudi Arabia for performing Hajj under the government scheme.
This year, 79,647 Hujjaj would perform the religious obligation under the regular scheme. The applicants who remained unsuccessful in the ballot during last two years consecutively were also selected without draw.
The intending pilgrims for Hajj-2009, who could not proceed due to negligence of some Hajj Group Organizers were also selected without balloting.
As many as 160,000 intending pilgrims would perform Hajj this year under the government and private schemes.
Commenting on flood relief activities, the minister said the federal government in collaboration with provincial governments and all concerned departments has launched a massive relief operation to mitigate sufferings of the flood affected people.
He said each and every member of the federal cabinet was taking active part in relief efforts being carried out in the flood-hit areas.
Kazmi said he distributed more than 3,000 ration packets among the affected families in his constituency - Liaquat Pur.
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