Hajj quota cut not on Government Scheme: Religious Ministry

Talking to APP, he said, the cut in government scheme pilgrims would have inflicted huge losses to the government as 125 buildings, having capacity to accommodate 87,882 Hujjaj, had already been hired.

The total rent of the buildings is SR 250.363 million. The ministry has already paid SR 128.840 million to Saudi owners as advance rent, he said.

A cut of 3,000 Hujjaj has been imposed on private scheme operator.A total of 1,43,368 Hujjaj would go to perform the sacred religious ceremony this year following the imposition of 20 percent cut by the Saudi government in June.

Prior to this cut 1,79,210 faithful have to perform Hajj, he said.

Since Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs) have failed to book the intending pilgrims as per their earlier prescribed quota of 89,605 government has reached an agreement with them (Hajj Organisers Association of Pakistan) according to which 57,347 pilgrims would perform Hajj under the private scheme this year, he said.

He said a cut of 20 percent has also been imposed on Hajj medical mission, Muavneen-e-Hajj and seasonal staff.

The 20 percent cut has been imposed due to the ongoing extension work in Haram Sharif. After completion of the work 250,000 pilgrims would be able to perform `Tawaf' within an hour.

Meanwhile, the process of affixation of visas of Government scheme Hujjaj would commence by mid Ramzan as soon as Maktab are allocated for each building.

As per schedule the flight operation would begin from September 9. The intending pilgrims must submit a certificate of vaccination at least 10 days before of departure to the Kingdom.

For sacrifice each Haji would have to pay SR 450 through Islamic Development Bank.

A total of eight Haji camps established across the country are being provided various facilities to the pilgrims. The intending pilgrims are being imparted necessary training in this regard.