Islamabad (Web Desk): The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has extended the date for submission of applications under Government Hajj Scheme till December 22.
According to a spokesperson of the ministry, a 10-day extension has been announced on the insistence of intending pilgrims.
He said that applications are being received in the sponsorship scheme on a first-come-first-served basis.
The spokesman added that those paying in dollars from abroad will be declared successful without balloting.
He said that the five-year moratorium on Hajj-e-Badal has also been revoked on the requests of the public.
Besides, people who have performed Hajj during the last five years are eligible to apply for Hajj this year.
The spokesperson of the ministry said that single women will be able to perform Hajj in a group of trusted women on providing an affidavit.
It is pertinent to mention that the Ministry of Religious Affairs started the process of receiving Hajj applications on November 27.
A total of 40, 175 Hajj applications were received till December 12.
The quota of Hajj applications under government and sponsorship schemes this year was set at more than 89 thousand.
This year, a total of 179,210 Pakistanis will perform Hajj under public and private schemes.