Govt announces downward revision in expenses for Hajj 2022

Islamabad: Federal Religious Affairs Minister Mufti Abdul Shakoor on Tuesday announced the expenses of the government's Hajj scheme for year 2022.

The minister told a presser that the government had approved a subsidy of Rs150,000 for each pilgrim. 

He said the Hajj expenses for the northern region were up to Rs851,000 while the expenses for the southern region are up to Rs860,000.

Shakoor said the mandatory expenses for the holy sojourn are 52%, airfare 21% and other expenses 27%.  

"The Hajj package is announced after the approval from the cabinet. We have inherited the expensive package from the previous PTI government. If it had not been overthrown, the expenses would have gone up to Rs1.1 million," said Mufti Shakoor. 

The minister said that Hajj has been with a limited quota after two years, adding that Pakistan's quota has been reduced from 180,000 to 81,210 because of COVID-19. "The Saudi authorities are also worried over its delay and expenses."

The minister also said all the arrangements including Makkah and Madinah have been reviewed. 

"The per head residence cost has been reduced from SAR2,600 to SAR2,100 while SAR27 will be collected from Pakistani pilgrims for three meals a day." 

The minister told a questionnaire that the ministry had completed the workshops of 80% of the pilgrims.

"The first flight carrying pligrims will depart on June 6," Shakoor said. 

PIA issues Hajj flight operation

With the announcement of Hajj operation commencement by Ministry of Religious Affairs, PIA's Hajj Flights schedule has been finalized. PIA's Pre-Hajj flights will commence from June 6.

The first Pre-Hajj flight will depart from Islamabad with 329 intending pilgrims for Madinah. PIA will transport nearly 15,000 intending pilgrims of Government Hajj Scheme and 18,000 intending pilgrims of private Hajj scheme.

The pre Hajj flights will conclude on 03 July.  

PIA will operate Hajj flights from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta and Multan. The airline will operate  nearly 331 flights.

Minister for Aviation, Khawaja Saad Rafique has instructed PIA officials to provide best services to the pilgrims. CEO PIA, Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat will supervise the entire Hajj operations.

The PIA's post Hajj operation of bringing back Hujjaj from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan will commence from 14 July and conclude on 13 August 2022-