Pakistan puts 2015 Government Hajj Scheme in motion

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Pakistan has made ballot results for the Government Hajj Scheme available online and also with authorised banks. Applicants are being informed of their success or failure via SMS as well, the ministry said.

Public sector organisations have until 1 June to nominate their employees from lower salary scales for Hajj under corporate social responsibility programmes. The nominations will be considered on a case by case basis, and Hajj expenses and dues must be borne by the organisation through funds that are not provided by the government.

The ministry called for submission of Hajj application forms under the scheme from 27 April to 8 May. The following banks are authorised to deal with Hajj applications under the Government Hajj Scheme for Hajj 2015: 

Habib Bank

United Bank 

National Bank of Pakistan

Muslim Commercial Bank 

Allied Bank of Pakistan

Zarai Taraqiati Bank 

Bank of Punjab

Meezan Bank

Bank Al-Falah and 

Habib Metropolitan Bank.

According to the ministry, Hajj dues for the North Region (Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Multan, Sialkot, Faisalabad and RY Khan) are Rs264,971 for adults, and Rs11,460 for infants born after 9 November 2013 who are accompanying their parents. Hajj dues for the South Region (Karachi, Quetta and Sukkur) are Rs255,971 and Rs10,560 for infants. Opting for qurbani through government arrangements costs an additional Rs14,210.

Need background?

Check Hajj application status
Hajj Policy 2015
View a breakdown of how charges are calculated for infants

Read the Wikipedia definition of qurbani