ISLAMABAD, FEB 24 (DNA) :  Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Monday announced the new date for collecting Hajj applications, and directed the designated banks to receive applications from February 25 (tomorrow) till March 6 (Friday) without any holiday.

The ministry, in a press release, added that it has informed all the banks regarding its decision. The announcement stated that forms will also be received on Saturday and Sunday which are official bank holidays.

The previous date was changed upon the federal cabinet’s disapproval of an important point.

Meanwhile, the Hajj application form has been simplified and computerised. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has explained that the affidavit has not been removed from the Hajj application form.

The affidavit is available with the computerised form, where applicants will be required to sign.

The ministry on Saturday had barred the designated branches of thirteen scheduled banks from receiving Hajj applications under the government scheme.

In a circular issued in Islamabad, the ministry announced suspending its orders of February 17 which had directed the banks to start receiving Hajj applications from February 24 to March 3.