Unusually Low Applications for Government Hajj Scheme, All Applicants Declared Successful

Islamabad:In a surprising development, the **Ministry of Religious Affairs** has declared all **28,000 applicants** for the **Government Hajj Scheme** successful, following an unusually low number of applications despite multiple extensions in the deadline. The total number of applications, however, fell short of the government’s target by **7,000**.

### Extension of Application Deadline Fails to Meet Target
Media reports reveal that despite three consecutive extensions of the application deadline, the number of applicants remained **significantly lower** than expected. Initially, the target set by the government was 35,000 applicants, but only 28,000 applications were received, a shortfall of 7,000.

The government had hoped that extending the application period would boost the number of people applying for the Hajj pilgrimage under the official scheme. However, despite these efforts, the shortfall in applications remained, leading to the decision to declare all the applicants successful.

### Decision to Grant All Applicants Success
With no prospect of meeting the target, the **Ministry of Religious Affairs** has decided to **accept all 28,000 applicants** for the Government Hajj Scheme. This means that all individuals who applied will now be eligible to perform the sacred pilgrimage through the government scheme.

### Next Steps: Filling the 7,000-Applicant Gap
Following the shortfall in applications, the ministry is now considering two possible solutions to address the 7,000 empty slots:
1. **Private Hajj Operators**: The government may allocate the remaining 7,000 slots to **private Hajj operators**, who can then offer these spots to their clients.
2. **Further Extension**: Another option being discussed is extending the application deadline again, allowing additional applicants to submit their forms in the hope of filling the remaining quota.

### Implications for the Hajj Scheme
The situation has raised questions about the factors behind the low number of applications. Many speculate that economic factors, including inflation and high travel costs, may have contributed to the decline in applicants for the government scheme. The government, on its part, is exploring all available options to ensure that the full quota for Hajj pilgrims is met, either through private operators or further extensions.

The decision to declare all applicants successful, despite falling short of the target, reflects the government’s commitment to facilitating Hajj for as many citizens as possible, especially in a year when demand for the pilgrimage remains high.