Recorder report

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet formally approved the Hajj Policy 2019 on Tuesday in a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan flanked by Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, announced this during a media briefing.

Dr Qadri while briefing the media said the government and ministry have ensured maximum facilities for pilgrims. He said the number of pilgrims has been increased from 175,000 to 200,000 this year. The meeting approved the increase in Hajj quota under the Hajj Policy 2019, he added.

Minister told that the ministry has further squeezed its budget to share the burden of pilgrims financially and has decided to return Rs 25,000 to 58,000 to each pilgrim after getting bargained amount from Saudi Arabia with respect to the accommodation and transportation. He also announced that the Saudi authorities for the first time have provided a facility of e-visa for Pakistani pilgrims on the govt’s request.

On the occasion, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed to make Hajj-2019 scandal-free, adding that the provision of all possible facilities to pilgrims has been ensured. She said first Hajj flight will take off on July 5 (Friday), adding that the prime minister will see off the pilgrims.

Earlier, a 51-member delegation from Saudi Arabia arrived here on Sunday last to review the arrangements made to assist Hajj pilgrims under pilot project “Road to Makkah.” The team will extend immigration clearance after scrutinising the travelling documents of Pakistani pilgrims at Islamabad airport.

Under the Road to Makkah project that has been initiated by Saudi Arabia to facilitate Muslim pilgrims, all immigration requirements are fulfilled at the airport of origin. The project also includes other Muslim countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.

The project is initially being launched in Islamabad and will be extended to other cities later depending on its success.

It may be recalled that the Road to Makkah project was announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his maiden visit to Pakistan in February on the request of Prime Minister Khan.

Under the project, around 20,000 pilgrims will get the facility of immigration at Islamabad airport, while the programme will be extended to Karachi and Lahore next year depending on its success.