Connect with us

Pakistan

Govt reduces Haj expenses by Rs100,000

Published

6 months ago

on

  • Banks to receive applications from Nov 27-Dec 12. 
  • Govt decides to introduce 20-25 day short package. 
  • Minister says there would be no compromise on quality. 

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs Aneeq Ahmed announced the Haj Policy 2024, slashing the expenses for the holy sojourn by Rs100,000 compared to last year, The News reported Friday. 

Ahmed, while unveiling the salient features of the Haj Policy 2024, said that scheduled banks can start receiving applications under the regular scheme from November 27 to December 12.

The minister said that along with a long-duration Haj package of 38 to 42 days, the government has also decided to introduce a short-duration package of 20 to 25 days.

He said the Haj cost under the government scheme has been reduced to Rs1,075,000 for the next Haj compared to the Rs1,175,000 charged for this year’s Haj but assured that there would be no compromise on the quality of arrangements regardless of the reduction in expenses. 

However, the government would charge Rs75,000 as the extra amount for the short-duration package. The minister said that Haj expenses for applicants from the southern region of the country would be Rs1,065,000 with an additional Rs75,000 for short duration package. An amount of Rs60,000 would be received as charges for sacrificial animals.

The religious affairs minister said the Haj quota for Pakistan is 17,9210, and will be equally distributed between the government and private Haj operators.

Ahmed said negotiations are continuing with the airlines to get reduced airfare for the Haj operation. 

“If we succeed in securing relief in the airfare, the amount will be transferred to the accounts of pilgrims.” 

He said the pilgrims would get back Rs35,000 if they choose to stay for four days instead of eight days in Madina.

As a salient feature of the Haj Policy, permission has been granted to women having no mahram to apply for Haj in light of recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). However, such women would have to get permission from their parents or husbands with the condition that they would select a group having trustworthy people.

Those who have performed Haj in the last five years would not be eligible to submit applications. However, a Mehram accompanying a woman who is performing Haj for the first time and those who apply as per the sponsorship scheme would be exempted from the same restriction.

Both the government’s regular scheme and private would have a quota of 89,605 each. From the government scheme, a quota of 25,000 has been fixed for the sponsorship scheme while 50% of the private scheme would be reserved for the sponsorship scheme.

Those applying under the sponsorship scheme would have to submit expenses in foreign exchange ($4,015) and they would be accommodated on a first come first served basis.

The caretaker minister said Haj 2024 will be digitalised wherein pilgrims will get a mobile application that can be used without internet. The app will have many features, including an option to lodge their complaints. 

He said the pilgrims would be provided with free-of-cost things including a SIM with seven GB of data, a suitcase having a QR code, Ihram belts for men, an abaya for women and shoe bags.

He added that apart from Islamabad airport, Karachi has also been included in the Road to Makkah project adding they have requested the Saudi government to include Lahore in the same. 

Under the project, the Saudi teams carry out immigration, security and customs checks of intending pilgrims before their departure for the Kingdom. 

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

The bail petition of Parvez Elahi in the Jinnah House attack case has been rejected by the ATC.

Published

4 hours ago

on

By

A bail application filed by Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) party, in the Jinnah House attack case has been rejected by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on the grounds of prematurity.

ATC Judge Arshad Javed announced the decision during today’s hearing.

The counsel representing Parvez Elahi contended that there was a significant likelihood of his client being arrested in relation to the Jinnah House attack case. It was stated that the ex-Chief Minister had previously been held in custody on judicial remand in other cases.

The petitioner requested the court to authorise the release of Parvez Elahi on bail in the Jinnah House attack case.

Nevertheless, the prosecution argued that the bail petition did not meet the necessary legal criteria, emphasising that Parvez Elahi had not been apprehended in connection with the case.

Considering these considerations, the court rejected Parvez Elahi’s request for release, stating that it was premature since he had not been arrested in the Jinnah House attack case.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Iran has officially announced a period of national mourning following the tragic death of Raisi in a helicopter crash.

Published

4 hours ago

on

By

The state-run news agency IRNA has reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has announced a period of five days for the entire nation to grieve the untimely death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter accident.

Khamenei paid a respectful homage by sharing a photograph of himself with Raisi on X, previously known as Twitter, and included a remark alluding to Imam Reza, the highly esteemed eighth imam of Shia Islam.

Mohammad Mokhber, the First Vice President, has been appointed to supervise the executive branch of the government. He will serve in this role temporarily for a period of 50 days, during which a new presidential election must take place. Mokhber has committed to perpetuating Raisi’s trajectory and guaranteeing the seamless execution of governmental responsibilities.

“As per Article 131 of the constitution, Mokhber has been appointed to lead the executive branch,” stated Khamenei. He further mentioned that Mokhber will collaborate with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches to make arrangements for the upcoming presidential elections, with a deadline of 50 days.”

According to IRNA, Ali Bagheri Kani has been designated as the interim foreign minister following this unfortunate event. The remains of Raisi are currently being brought to Tabriz, however, specific information regarding his funeral plans has not yet been provided.

An unusual conference, encompassing all three levels of the Iranian government, was convened on Monday in response to the tragedy. Mokhber served as the representative of the executive branch, while delegates from the legislative and judiciary branches were also present.

“During the meeting, Mokhber assured that we will adhere to President Raisi’s directives and carry out our assigned responsibilities without any disruptions.” As to the constitution of the Islamic Republic, the first vice president is authorised to temporarily take the position of president with the agreement of the Supreme Leader. Subsequently, a new president is to be elected within a period of 50 days.

Global leaders have offered condolences and conveyed their profound grief and sympathy with the people of Iran in response to this tragic occurrence. While the country grieves, plans are being made to commemorate Raisi’s accomplishments and facilitate a seamless transfer of power.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, the former Prime Minister of AJK, has been apprehended by authorities.

Published

4 hours ago

on

By

Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, the ex-prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, has been apprehended by the Margalla Police in Islamabad.

Ilyas was apprehended by the authorities following the registration of a case against him at the Margalla Police Station, as stated by the police spokeswoman.

The police officials have accused Ilyas of committing six grave offences, which include assaulting the premises of a private enterprise.

The spokeswoman verified the arrest, stating that Ilyas was apprehended following a comprehensive investigation and subsequent legal actions.

This event follows the filing of a case against Ilyas, accusing him of being involved in the assault on a private company’s office.

The individual has been apprehended by law enforcement and will be subjected to investigation and subsequent legal procedures.

Continue Reading

Trending