Record applications submitted for 2018 Govt Hajj scheme: Sardar Yousaf

RAWALPINDI, Feb 13 (APP):Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf Tuesday said that due to excellent Hajj arrangements made last year by the government in Saudi Arabia, record number of applications were submitted this year by the citizens for government Hajj scheme.
He informed that the banks received over 375,000 applications for 2018 Government Hajj Scheme, out of which 120,000 intending Hajj pilgrims under the Scheme would be sent to Saudi Arabia.
He said this while talking to media at the groundbreaking ceremony of a Jamia Masjid Fatima-uz-Zahra here at Adiala Road.
He said, the government has formulated a policy to facilitate the intending hajj pilgrims.
Sardar Yousaf, to a question informed that a quota of 65,000 Hujjaj would be given to the private sector so that they could also send the intending Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
He further said, the government had adopted a transparent policy for 2018 Hajj scheme, adding different committees formed in this regard were approved by federal cabinet.
The Minister hoped that the Supreme Court would soon announce a verdict in Hajj quota case. The minister said, the government is also striving for the resolution of the problems being faced by prayer leaders (Imam Masajid).
Sardar Yousaf said, all out efforts would be made to facilitate the Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and best arrangements would be
made like last years.
Record number of applications reflect the citizens’ confidence on government hajj scheme as last year, the Pakistani Hujjaj were satisfied with the arrangements made in Saudia, he added.
To another question he said, uniform prayer timings (Nizam-e-Salat) was prepared for federal capital but, it could not be
implemented fully, adding, National Ulema and Mashaikh Council was constituted at central level to play a role in addressing the issues of Imams of Masajid.
He said, support of the citizens particularly traders and civil society was needed to implement uniform prayer timings in Islamabad.
Among others, Moulana Abdul Majeed Hazarvi from Jamia Farqania, Rawalpindi, Moulana Qari Wali ur Rehman Sajid, Shafqat Umar Bhatti and other ulema and Mashaikh were present on the occasion, .