Govt announces reduced Hajj expenses, enhanced facilities for pilgrims

City News Nov, 22 2023
Govt announces reduced Hajj expenses, enhanced facilities for pilgrims
  • 139
  • 0

KARACHI: Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs Dr. Aneeq Ahmed declared significant reduction of 0.1 million rupees in government Hajj expenses while ensuring uncompromised facilities.

Notably, pilgrims will receive 30 kg suitcase each and female pilgrims will receive scarfs (abaya) featuring national flag, first-time provision.

During news conference at Haji Camp here, Dr. Ahmed highlighted introduction of mobile application aimed at aiding pilgrims. This app will offer navigation assistance and keep pilgrims in constant contact with relevant officials. Initially available in English and Urdu, app will later include various regional languages.

Emphasising improvements in Hajj process, Dr. Ahmed revealed that Islamabad and Karachi have been incorporated into Saudi Arabia’s Road to Makkah project. This inclusion allows Karachi Airport to complete the immigration process for Hujjaj, streamlining their journey.

Moreover, government has introduced 20-day short Hajj package, striving to make Hajj more financially accessible to citizens. Efforts are underway to ensure Pakistani Hujjaj are accommodated in tents at Old Mina, as distance to New Mina poses challenges for pilgrims.

Highlighting allocation of Hajj seats, Dr. Ahmed mentioned that Pakistan has secured 179,000 Hajj seats, with half reserved for private Hajj operators. Ministry of Religious Affairs will oversee these operators to guarantee well-being of pilgrims, holding Ministry responsible for any issues faced by those performing Hajj through private operators.

Dr. Ahmed also noted ongoing renovation work at Haji Camp Karachi building, reinforcing commitment to enhance pilgrimage facilities. Regarding expenses, Dr. Aneeq clarified that announced package excludes qurbani (sacrifice) expenses during Hajj. Additionally, intending pilgrims opting for shorter stay in Medina will receive further reduction of Rs 35,000 in Hajj expenses.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 23 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

Senior Reporter
Senior Reporter https://www.dailynationalcourier.com/author/senior-reporter
Daily National Courier is a leading morning English newspaper of twelve pages covering all international and national political developments on 24/7 basis.

NC Big Stories

£190m Case: Court delays verdict on PTI founder

ISLAMABAD: The Accountability Court in Islamabad will hold a hearing on the £190 million reference against PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, tomorrow. However, the court will not announce its verdict as originally expected. The...

PM Sharif forms committee for talks with PTI

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the formation of a government negotiating committee to hold talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), following a recent statement from PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan. Khan revealed t...

Best 8 winter foods to keep you warm and healthy

Winter brings a chill in the air, and along with it, a craving for warm, comforting foods that not only satisfy our hunger but also provide nourishment to help us stay healthy throughout the season. Cold weather often leads to a dip in our energy le...

Challenges in eradicating polio

The last anti-polio campaign of this year is underway across the country and a total of more than 4.5 million children across the country have been targeted to be vaccinated against polio by December 22.   Although efforts have been underway in...

More like this
Related

Pakistan-Romania Business Council delegation meets Presidential aide on Legal Affairs

KARACHI: A delegation of the Pakistan-Romania Business Council (PRBC) met with Justice (R) Irfan Qadir, Advisor on Legal Affairs to the President of Pakistan, and Zia-ur-Rashid Abbasi, DG Legal Affairs, at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad. The PRBC deleg...

Interest in EV sector grows with SIFC’s collaboration

KARACHI: A Chinese company has announced an investment of $350 million in electric vehicles (EVs) in Pakistan. With the support of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), interest in China’s investment in the EV sector is increasin...

Committed charities spreading education should get full support from govt, philanthropists: Saeed Ghani

KARACHI: Sindh Local Government minister, Saeed Ghani, has said the government and affluent people are under a solemn obligation to fully back the sincere charities striving hard to spread education in Pakistan. He stated this while speaking as the...

"Ahmed Shah-Ejaz Faruqi Panel clean sweep Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Elections 2025-26"

Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi elections for the year 2025-2026 saw a resounding victory for the Ahmed Shah-Ejaz Faruqi panel, with the Najam Ashraf Mubashir panel suffering a heavy defeat. In the presidential race, Muhammad Ahmed Shah garnered 1,9...
Need Help? Chat with us