Caretaker govt announces Rs100,000 relief in Hajj package

Islamabad: The Caretaker Minister of Religious Affairs Aneeq Ahmed announced the Hajj Policy 2024.

According to details, Minister of Religious Affairs Aneeq Ahmed said: “Earlier on yesterday, the cabinet approved the Hajj policy, I am grateful for the guidance of the Prime Minister on Hajj policy. The Saudi authorities and the Saudi Hajj Minister have also cooperated with us a lot”.

The Minister of Religious Affairs further said that it has never happened that the upcoming Hajj costs lesser than the previous year.

Last year the Hajj cost was Rs1.175 million, however this year it will cost Rs1.75 million with the reduction of Rs100,000. If someone would want to stay in Madinah for four days instead of eight, the cost of Hajj package will be reduced by 30 to 35 thousand rupees.

The Secretary Hajj clarified that the package does not include the money for the sacrifice, Rs60,000 will be provided separately for the sacrifice. For the short-term Hajj an additional Rs75,000 will have to be paid in which the pilgrims will return after performing Hajj in 20-21 days. The applications for Hajj will be received from November 27 to December 12.

Aneeq Ahmad added that a mobile application will be provided to the pilgrims which will help them to not get lost. While the app will operate even if the internet is down. During the Hajj, the pilgrims will be able to make countless calls to Pakistan, which will have an internet package of 7GB.

The Minister of Religious Affairs continued that they will provide abayas to all Pakistani female pilgrims with the flag of Pakistan on its back. There will be sponsors for the Hajj in consideration of the dollar. There will be no lottery for the sponsors.

Saudi Arabia facilitated Pakistan with Road to Makkah. Saudi government has included Islamabad and Karachi in the road to Makkah. Whereas it was recommended to added Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.

The Minister of Religious Affairs stated that Pakistan has received a quota of 1,79,210 pilgrims this time. They have worked very hard on the Hajj Policy 2024 in three months.