From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI: Caretaker Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Dr Aneeq Ahmed, announced a significant reduction of Rs0.1 million in government Hajj expenses on Wednesday, assuring that this cost-cutting measure would not compromise the quality of facilities provided.
Notably, pilgrims will now be entitled to a 30kg suitcase each, and female pilgrims will receive scarves (Abaya) adorned with the national flag—an unprecedented provision.
Addressing the media at the Haji Camp Karachi, Dr Ahmed highlighted the introduction of a new mobile application designed to assist pilgrims. The app will provide navigation support and enable constant communication between pilgrims and relevant officials. Initially available in English and Urdu, the application will later incorporate various regional languages.
In a bid to enhance the Hajj process, Dr Ahmed disclosed that Islamabad and Karachi have been integrated into Saudi Arabia’s Road to Makkah project. This integration allows Karachi airport to streamline the immigration process for Hujjaj, facilitating a smoother journey. Furthermore, the government has introduced a 20-day short Hajj package, aiming to make Hajj more financially accessible to citizens. Efforts are underway to accommodate Pakistani Hujjaj in tents at Old Mina, considering the challenges posed by the distance to New Mina.
Highlighting the allocation of Hajj seats, Dr Ahmed revealed that Pakistan has secured 179,000 Hajj seats, with half reserved for private Hajj operators. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will oversee these operators to ensure the well-being of pilgrims, holding the ministry accountable for any issues faced by those performing Hajj through private operators.
Dr Ahmed also acknowledged the ongoing renovation work at the Haji Camp Karachi building, emphasising the commitment to enhancing pilgrimage facilities. Regarding expenses, Dr Ahmed clarified that the announced package excludes Qurbani (sacrifice) expenses during Hajj. Additionally, intending pilgrims opting for a shorter stay in Medina will receive a further reduction of Rs35,000 in Hajj expenses.
Earlier, The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony convened on Tuesday to discuss the implications of the Saudi government’s decision to significantly reduce the number of Pakistani Hajj Group Organizers (HGOs) from 905 to only 46.
