Federal cabinet approves Hajj Policy 2020

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri said the cabinet today (Tuesday) accorded approval to Hajj Policy 2020. He said this year the Hajj quota of intending pilgrims from Pakistan is 1,79,200 and efforts are being made to increase this number. Qadri added that 60% pilgrims will offer Hajj through government scheme while 40 per cent through private tour operators. He said transparency and merit will be ensured while selecting private tour operators as per the directions of the Supreme Court. He expressed the Hajj package through government scheme is Rs4,90,000 for intending pilgrims of north region and Rs4,80,000 for those from southern region of the country. The minister said the increase in Hajj package is due to surge in airline fares and depreciation of Pakistani rupee among other reasons. He further said the Saudi government has levied an additional fee of 300 riyals for Hajj visa and 110 riyals for mandatory health insurance. Similarly, the cost of residence has also gone up in Makkah. Noorul Haq Qadri further stated that last year the government reimbursed an amount of Rs5.5 billion to the pilgrims and this year efforts are being made to minimize the burden on intending pilgrims. The Hajj Policy presented in the federal cabinet for approval on Tuesday. According to a summary received by 92 News, the Hajj quota will be 179,210 this year. The percentage of division of quota in the government and private Hajj schemes will be 60 and 40 percent respectively. For the northern region, the proposed Hajj package will Rs550,200 while the proposed Hajj package for the southern region will be Rs542,200. The package excludes Rs24,200 for the sacrificial animal.