ISLAMABAD, April 16 (APP): Federal Minister for Religious Affairs
and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Saturday said the designated branches of scheduled banks would start receiving applications under the Government Hajj Scheme on Monday.

Announcing the Hajj Policy 2016 at a press conference here, the
minister said the applications would be received till April 26.
Balloting for successful intending pilgrims would be held on April 29,
who would be intimated through a letter, he added.

He said the Hajj package for pilgrims from Karachi,
Quetta and Sukkur (South Region) would be Rs 261,941 and from
Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Faisalabad and
Sialkot (North Region) Rs 270,941.

SAHIWAL, April 16 (APP): Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique has said the Pakistan Muslim League N is focusing on development and prosperity of the country.

Addressing a foundation stone laying ceremony in
connection with reconstruction of Sahiwal Railway Station here Saturday, he said when the PML N came to power with the pledge to work for the country’s development and launched many projects for the purpose.

The minister said when he took over charge
as minister a large number of railway stations were in
poor condition and many other problems also existed.

MULTAN, April 16 (APP): Federal Minister for Religious Affair and Inter-faith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said on Saturday that a tracker system would be introduced for pilgrims to ensure their connection with the control room during Haj.

Talking to the media here at the Multan International Airport, he said the tracker system would be introduced by keeping in view the stamped occurred during Haj in the previous year.

He said the ministry of religious affairs had completed work on Haj policy and the prime minister had given approval of it. He added the new Haj policy would be announced on April 17 in Islamabad.

LAHORE, April 16 (APP): Federal Minister for Defense Production, Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain said on Saturday that PTI Chairman Imran Khan must clear his position before the masses about investment of USD 3 million Shaukat Khanum funds in the offshore companies.

Talking to the media after having a detailed meeting with business community here at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), he said that PTI chairman was maintaining double standard with regard to Panama Leaks by saying that he would clear his position after objection by the PML-N, and when PML-N uttered the same answer, Imran Khan resorted to unjustified sit-in and protest politics.

To a question, Federal Minister said that innocence of Sharif Family members could be well-judged from the fact that they presented themselves for accountability and before the masses, and were ready to clear their position before any commission or investigative body etc. regarding Panama papers.

LAHORE, Apr 16 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said special attention is being paid for the uplift of backward areas under balanced development policy.

Presiding over a meeting here on Saturday which reviewed the pace of progress on ongoing projects in the province, he said people were benefiting from mega development projects completed in the province and work was being carried out speedily on public welfare projects of billions of rupees in education, health and other sectors.

He said programmes like Daanish School, Punjab Educational Endowment Fund, distribution of laptops and encouragement of talented students were leaving a positive impact on the education sector.