200,000 Pakistanis to perform Hajj next year

MAKKAH (Web Desk) – Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed Hajj agreement under which 200,000 Pakistanis will be able to perform Hajj next year on Wednesday. The agreement was signed by Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri and his Saudi counterpart Dr Mohammed Bintan in Makkah. Speaking on the occasion, Noorul Haq Qadri lauded the Pak-Saudi joint initiative Road to Makkah project and said it remained helpful for the Hujjaj Keram. He expected its expansion to other cities of Pakistan. Saudi Arabian Religious Affairs Minister said Pakistan's ample role in Road to Makkah project made this project successful. Matters pertaining to the provision of facilities to Pakistani pilgrims next year were also discussed during the meeting between two sides. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has decided to return over Rs 800 million from hajj dues to 53,000 pilgrims of Government Hajj Scheme. The amount was being returned on failure to provide train facility and providing residences at Markazia area. The pilgrims provided residence at Markazia area would be returned from Rs 12,000 to Rs 26,000 each and Rs 12,000 each would be paid to pilgrims, who failed to get train facility. The ministry has already returned Rs 5 billion to pilgrims.