Banks stopped from receiving Hajj applications.

ISLAMABAD -- The Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Friday precluded banks from receiving Hajj applications from Feb 24 till further directives in this regard, reported media.

The ministry instructed all the designated branches of banks to not receive applications and wait for further directives, saying it would unveil a final date for receiving and submission of applications later on.

It directed that no bank will receive any form or fee thereof as per the previous schedule.

Sources privy to the development said the ministry is likely to announce a new date the next week.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the ministry said it has finalised all arrangements but barred the designated banks from receiving applications for some technical reasons. He added a new date would be announced soon.

This year a total of 179,210 pilgrims would perform the sacred obligation of Haj including 60 per cent of them under the government scheme and 40...