ISLAMABAD Finally the much awaited and much-debated Haj policy for year 2010 has been announced, which brought 19pc increase in Haj expenses than the previous year. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi announced the policy at a ceremony held on Thursday. According to the new policy, Ministry of Religious Affairs would start receiving Haj applications, under the government scheme, from June 10 and the process would continue till June 25. All the interested candidates can get applications forms on June 10. While announcing Haj policy Minister informed that under the government and private schemes this year around 160,000 pilgrims would perform their religious obligations in Saudi Arabia. Kazmi said those who intended to travel from Quetta and Karachi would have to pay Rs226,000 and others would have to pay Rs238,000. To a query, he said that intending pilgrims could get application forms from ABL, HBL, MCB, NBP, UBL and ZTBL with effect from June 10. The Minister informed that this year 80,000 pilgrims would perform Haj under the government scheme while 79,647 pilgrims would perform Haj by Haj Group Organizers (HGOs). Whereas, National Identity Card issued by NADRA and International Readable Passport, having validity of at least one year on the date of filing the application, are mandatory requirements. Similarly, those who performed Haj during last five years would not be entertained this year, however, Mahram of a woman performing Haj for the first time, group leader, and those who perform Haj-e-Badal would be exempted from the condition. He informed that those persons who could not perform Haj during last two years and did not withdrew their cash would be declared successful without balloting. Similarly, those who were cheated by HGOs during the last year, would also be declared as successful candidates. Highlighting the flight operations Minister said that the Haj flight operation would commence with effect from October 10, and Hujjaj (pilgrims) would travel by PIA and Saudi Airlines. He informed that those who left for Saudi Arabia from Quetta and Karachi, would pay Rs67,000 as fare and others would pay Rs79, 000 fares. It is relevant to note here that for the Haj 2010, PIA had increased its fare up to Rs6,000. Minister said that all HGOs would get quota under the new transparent criteria. He claimed that this year there would be no special quota and the Hujjaj would be selected 100pc through ballot under the government scheme. To a query, Kazmi said the ministry had arranged to accommodate 100pc Pakistani Hujaj in old Mina, which entailed higher price on comparative terms as it is nearest to Jamarat. Minister also informed that this year more than 500 Pakistani nationals settled in Saudi Arabia would voluntarily assist Pakistani pilgrims during their stay in Saudi Arabia.