All Authorized Dealers
In Foreign Exchange,

Dear Sirs,

The following procedure has been prescribed for processing Hajj applications under the Sponsorship Scheme for Hajj 1995 (1415 A.H.):-

1. Sponsors abroad will be required to send a remittance of Rs.54,266/- where the pilgrim intends to travel from Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta or Peshawar, Sukkur & Multan Rs.52,176/- 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 1995 to cover cost of ticket for Islamabad / Jeddah / Islamabad, Lahore / Jeddah / Lahore, Peshawar/Jeddah/Peshawar, Quetta / Jeddah / Quetta, Sukkur, Multan / Jeddah / Multan 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.

2. 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 1st November to 7th December, 1994. 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.

3. 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.

4. Remittances received under the Sponsorship Hajj Scheme may fall in any of the following three categories:-

   1. 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.

   2. Draft/M.T./T.T. Drawn on a bank in Pakistan other than the bank whose branch is dealing with the intending pilgrim.

   3. 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.

5. Rupee proceeds of Rs.54,266/- or Rs.52,176/-, 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.

6. 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 alongwith 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.

7. 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.54,266/- or Rs.52,176/- as the case may be the excess amount will be refunded to the applicants on the date of submitting the Hajj Applications.

8. 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.54,266/- or Rs.52,176/- 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.54,266/- or Rs.52,176/- 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.

9. 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.

10. 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 15 December, 1994 being the last date for receipt of applications under the Sponsorship Hajj Scheme 1995.

11. 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 1995.

12. No application under the Sponsorship Hajj Scheme will be entertained by the banks after the 7th December, 1994.

13. 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.