-Muslim worshippers circumambulate around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, during the first day of the annual Hajj pilgrimage on August 19, 2018.

The balloting of Hajj applications under government scheme will be held today (Thursday) at 4:00 pm in Islamabad, Aaj News reported.

A total of 1,49,330 applications have been received under the Government Hajj Scheme., Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sahibzada Noor-ul-Haq Qadri will perform the balloting.

According to the Hajj Policy 2020, initially 179,210 Pakistanis were to perform the sacred religious obligation, including 107,526 under the Government Hajj Scheme and 71,684 through Hajj Group Organizers.

Some 10,000 seats under the government scheme have been reserved for senior citizens.

Unsuccessful applicants in balloting continuously for the last three years will automatically be declared successful.

The results of balloting will be uploaded on the religious affairs ministry website.

The intending pilgrims have been advised to contact on these numbers 051-9205696 and 051-9216980-82 for any guidance and information.