By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Computerized balloting for selecting eighty thousand pilgrims under the government Hajj scheme for the year 2009 will be held here on August 6th.
Sources told APP here that as many as 1,60,000 persons would perform the forthcoming Hajj under the government regular as well as sponsored Hajj schemes.
The sources said the first Hajj flight is scheduled to take off on October 22 where as the last Hajj flight will depart on November 23.
They said that applicant declared successful after the balloting would have to submit their Machine Readable Passport within five-day of the Hajj draw in their respective banks.
Applicants who remained unsuccessful for consecutive two previous years would be declared successful this year without balloting, they added.
Similarly, they said unsuccessful applicants of this year would be declared successful in the next year, if they do not withdraw Hajj dues deposited by them.
The sources said a total of 146,547 intending pilgrims would be airlifted by the PIA where as Saudi Airlines has also agreed to ferry 13,100 pilgrims from Pakistan.
About 131,647 pilgrims would land at King Abdul Aziz International Air Port, Jeddah where as many as 28,000 pilgrims would enter the Kingdom through Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz Air Port, Madinah.
The total Hajj package including airfare from Karachi/ Quetta would be Rs. 185,000 and for other stations it would be Rs. 200,000 per pilgrim.
After deduction of compulsory Hajj dues, accommodation charges and special services charges payable to Saudi agencies, the balance amount in foreign exchange would be returned to intending pilgrims in cash before their departure from Pakistan to meet day-to-day expenses in Saudi Arabia.