Published in June 01, 2022 04:24
The Cabinet approved the subsidy of Rs 150,000 per person for in government Hajj scheme.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Minister for Mufti for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Abdul Shakur on On Tuesday said government approved a subsidy of Rs 150,000 for Hajj pilgrims heading to Saudi Arabia government scheme.
Pakistan was given a quota of 81,132 pilgrims for this is the year Hajj where over 32,000 will go under government scheme and above 48000 will pass private operators.
After two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia is year permitted the Hajj pilgrimage for all Muslims around the world, but limited maximum age of pilgrims under 65 years old.
“Today, the federal cabinet approved a subsidy of Rs 150,000 per person for in government Hajj scheme,” Shakur told reporters. in Islamabad.
“This subsidy will reduce Hajj costs from 860,000 to about 710,000 rupees.”
Hajj expenses would go over one million rupees per person due to depreciation in Meaning of Pakistani currency, Shakur said, adding that his ministry did well in reducing them through better negotiations for residential buildings and catering services in Saudi Arabia.
“We brought the bets of per bed in Mecca from 2400 to 2100 SAR and in Medina, from 1100 to 720 Saudi Riyals. minister said.
He said government convinced private Hajj operators to reduce them basic package from 1.2 million to 950,000 rubles.
“We can not force private Hajj operators about [choice of] currency for flights, but it was fixed Rs 181,000 [return ticket] in in government scheme,” he said when told private operators asked pilgrims to pay for airfare in dollars.
Religious minister thanked government for commencement of hajj operations despite fact that the coronavirus has not been completely eradicated from world.
“I am grateful to the Guardian of two sacred mosques for permission and administration of the Hajj year although the whole world still fighting COVID-19,” he said.
“Saudi government digitized Hajj services, providing better transportation and air-conditioned air-conditioned tented residences in Mina valley this is year”.
Shakur also thanked Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki for visa facilitation on short notice.
minister said it government received over 63,000 applications for in government scheme for about 32,000 pilgrims.
“We completed all the preparations for the Hajj within one month, which usually requires six months,” he said, adding first Hajj flight departs on June 6th
.
