All
Authorised Dealers
in Foreign Exchange,
Dear
Sirs,
The
following procedure has been prescribed for processing Hajj
applications under the Sponsorship Scheme for Hajj 1994
(1414 A.H.):-
-
Sponsors
abroad will be require4d to send a remittance of Rs.52,560/-
where the pilgrim intends to travel from Islamabad,
Lahore, Quetta or Peshawar and Rs.50,660/- where the
pilgrim intends to travel from Karachi in the shape
of instruments expressed in Pak Rupees / other currencies,
if remittance in Rupees is not possible, in the name
of intending pilgrims for Hajj 1994 to cover cost of
ticket for Islamabad / Jeddah / Islamabad, Lahore /
Jeddah / Lahore, Peshawar / Jeddah / Peshawar, Quetta
/ Jeddah / Quetta or Karachi / Jeddah / Karachi, as
the case may be, the foreign exchange quota and other
charges. No PTA or ticket should be sent from abroad.
-
Applications
will be received by all authorized branches of the National
Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank Limited, United Bank Limited,
Muslim Commercial Bank Limited and Allied Bank of Pakistan
Limited from 20th November to 22nd
December, 1993. On being approached, the concerned Bank
Limited, United Bank Limited, Muslim Commercial Bank
Limited, United Bank Limited, Muslim Commercial Bank
Limited and Allied Bank of Pakistan Limited will arrange
for encashment of the remittances received from abroad
and help the applicants to fill in the prescribed Hajj
application form.
-
Hajj
applications must be dispatched to the Hajj Office on
the very day the applications are completed. Issue of
encashment certificates and transmission of Rupee proceeds
will be done subsequently as indicated at (iv),
(v) and (vi)
below.
-
Remittances
received under the Sponsorship Hajj Scheme may fall
in any of the following three categories:-
-
Draft
/ M.T. / T.T. drawn on the National Bank of Pakistan,
Habib Bank Limited, United Bank Limited, Muslim Commercial
Bank Limited and Allied Bank of Pakistan Limited,
whose branch has been approached by the intending
pilgrim.
-
Draft
/ M.T. / T.T. Drawn on a bank in Pakistan other
than the bank whose branch is dealing with the
intending pilgrim.
-
Draft
drawn on a bank outside Pakistan which is to be sent
for collection abroad. A temporary receipt will be
issued by the bank to the applicant pending finalization
of the encashment certificate, which process must
be completed by the Banks within 14 days of the first
contact by the intending pilgrim. There would not
be any difficulty in observing the aforesaid time
limit in respect of remittances under category (a)
and (b) above. However, in
case of drafts mentioned at (c)
above, a period of more than 14 days may be required
for realization of such drafts from the drawee banks
abroad. The banks will arrange for outright purchase
of such drafts and issue encashment certificates giving
probable month in which the realization is expected.
In cases where a draft is subsequently dishonored,
an immediate intimation should be sent to the Computer
Office (Hajj), Islamabad.
v. Rupee proceeds of Rs.52,560/-
or Rs.50,660/-, as the case may be, per pilgrim must be
transmitted to the Ministry of Religious Affairs within
the time limit of 14 days mentioned above.
vi. Encashment Certificate
for the purpose will be issued in triplicate. The original
copy will be for the pilgrim for presentation to the bank
booth at Haji Camp along with bank receipt for issue of
foreign exchange. The second copy will be sent to
the Hajj Cell in the Head Office of the concerned bank.
The third copy will be retained by the issuing bank for
their own reference and record.
vii. Where the rupee proceeds of the remittances expressed
in other currencies at the exchange rate prevailing on the
dates remittances were sent from abroad exceed the
prescribed amount of Rs.52,560/- or Rs.50,660/- as the case
may be the excess amount will be refunded to the applicants
on the date of submitting the Hajj Applications.
viii. In cases where the Rupee equivalent of the remittances
at the exchange rates prevailing on the dates remittances
were sent from abroad works out to Rs.52,560 or Rs.50,660/-
as the case may be, the same will be accepted by the banks
even though the Rupee proceeds may fall short of the prescribed
amount of Rs.52,560 or Rs.50,660/- as the case may
be, at the exchange rates prevailing at the time of encashment.
The shortfall in such cases, will not be demanded from the
applicants.
ix. In cases where for reasons other than fluctuations in
exchange rates, the short-fall in the Rupee equivalent
of foreign currency drafts does not exceed Rs.300/- per
pilgrim, the amount of shortfall may be accepted from the
applicants in Rupees.
x. In all other cases of short-fall the remittances should
not be accepted and the applicants advised to arrange for
remittance of additional amount to make up the difference
before the 22nd December, 1993 being the last
date for receipt of applications under the Sponsorship Hajj
Scheme 1994.
xi. The banks may use their own format of encashment certificate
designed to suit their needs but it must clearly indicate
that the encashment certificate is under Sponsorship
Hajj Scheme 1994.
xii. No application under the Sponsorship Hajj Scheme will
be entertained by the banks after the 22nd
December, 1993.
xiii. Release of Hajj Quota, as usual, will be reported
to the State Bank of Pakistan on Form 'H' duly supported
by the original copy of the relative encashment certificate.
Duplicate copy of the encashment certificate may be used
by the
banks after proper verification in cases where a pilgrim
has lost his own original copy. Form 'H' used for
release of foreign exchange under the Sponsorship Hajj
Scheme should be marked prominently with the following
stamp:
"HAJJ
QUOTA UNDER SPONSORSHIP SCHEME"
2.
It may please be emphasized on your branches to provide
prompt, efficient and courteous service to the intending
pilgrims and to ensure meticulous observance of the time
schedule laid down for dispatch of Hajj applications and
transmission of Rupee proceeds to the Ministry of Religious
Affairs. The need for exercising extra vigilance and care
in processing the Hajj applications may also be impressed
upon the dealing officials so that complaints form intending
pilgrims are eliminated as far as possible.
3.
Please issue immediate instructions to your all branches
for compliance of the above instructions.