Pakistan Returns 21,000 Hajj Quotas to Saudi Arabia Through Government Scheme.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has made the decision to return more than 21,000 Hajj quotas to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme. SAMAA TV has reported that instead of accommodating the 5,633 pilgrims who were left out in the Hajj draw, the government has opted to return the quota. It has been revealed that rather than accommodating the unsuccessful applicants from the government's regular scheme, the funds were refunded. Sources indicate that 5,633 applicants were declared unsuccessful in the regular Hajj scheme draw, and a total of 69,438 applications were received for the regular Hajj scheme. According to the data, 63,805 fortunate pilgrims were selected in the draw, while only 4,000 applications were received against the 25,000 quota in the government Sponsorship Hajj Scheme. Consequently, more than 21,000 vacant quotas will be returned to Saudi Arabia.