Hajj policy approved, govt decides against subsidy

By
Ayaz Akbar Yousafzai
|

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Thursday approved the Hajj policy 2019, deciding against a subsidy for Hajjis.

During the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, it was decided that no compromise would be made on facilities. There will be one supervisor for the entire Hajj process which will be monitored personally by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The cabinet was briefed on the Hajj policy and informed that 184,210 Pakistanis would perform Hajj this year. Applications would be accepted from 20 February, and 60 per cent of the quota would be given to the government and the remaining to private operators.

People 80 years and above will be able to perform Hajj without the need to enter a draw. People who have been unsuccessful for three consecutive years will also not be required to enter the draw.

Under the policy, 10,000 seats would be reserved for senior citizens. 

Hajj expenses for the northern zone would be Rs436,975 and for the southern zone would be Rs427,975.

Some of the facilities which will be provided include direct Hajj flights from Quetta, Faisalabad and biometrics being available in far-flung areas. 

Hajj price increases by over 60%

The price of performing Hajj has increased by over 60 per cent compared to last year.

In 2018, Hajjis from the northern zone paid Rs280,000 and from the southern zone Rs270,000. This is a 64 per cent and 63 per cent increase respectively.