Performing Hajj pilgrimage likely to get more expensive

• Tentative Hajj package for next year would be Rs489,575 as against Rs436,975 for the year 2019.
• The committee also directed the ministry to persuade Saudi authorities to lower taxes, which would help reduce the package.

Performing Hajj might become even more costly, as the government scheme Hajj package for the year 2020 is likely to be increased by Rs63,000.

As per details, a sub-committee of the Senate's Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony was told about the development. However, the committee, which met with its convener Hafiz Abdul Karim in the chair, directed the Religious Affairs Ministry to keep the Hajj package to the minimum level.

It was learnt that the Religious Affairs Ministry's officials informed the committee that the tentative Hajj package for next year would be Rs489,575 as against Rs436,975 for the year 2019.

The committee also directed the ministry to persuade Saudi authorities to lower taxes, which would help reduce the package.

Back in January, the government's Hajj Scheme expenditures have become dearer by Rs. 156,975 owing to various reasons including increase in transport and devaluation of rupee. Briefing Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, chaired by Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, he said this year Government Hajj Scheme's proposed package would be Rs. 436,975 for Northern and Rs. 426,975 for Southern regions of the country.