Islamabad (Staff Report): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday ordered to remain the Hajj quota 60 per cent for government scheme and 40 per cent for the private Hajj tour operators for the year 2018.
A two-member bench of the IHC, comprising Justice Athar Mianallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb ruled that the private Hajj tour operators’ quota would remain 40 per cent for 2018.
At least 87,813 lucky applicants had been selected through a computerized draw under the 50 percent quota of total Hajj pilgrims for 2018.
Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf initiated the computerized balloting along with officials of the ministry.
Remaining candidates will be selected in second round of the balloting after the Islamabad High Court settle the petitions against Haj Policy 2018.
Hajj 2018 ballot result are available at http://www.hajjinfo.org
The decision to conduct the balloting was taken by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi during a meeting of the federal cabinet.
The Supreme Court (SC) had issued directives to refer all case pending in different high courts regarding Hajj balloting to the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar comprising Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan had heard the case.
During the course of proceedings, the court was informed that two cases in Sindh while one case in Multan was pending regarding Hajj balloting.
On this the chief justice remarked that all cases should be referred to IHC and directed IHC to hear all cases regarding Hajj balloting.
