Ministry of Religious Affairs Tuesday revealed that Prime Minister Imran Khan has granted approval for preparing a three-year Hajj policy.

A subcommittee of the National Assembly Standing committee on Religious Affaires and Inter-faith Harmony met with Shagufta Jumani in the chair here on Tuesday and examined the affairs of the arrangements made for Hajj 2019 and suggested improvement for future.

The committee was informed that Hajj agreement was signed with Saudi Arabia in November 2018 and Hajj Policy was approved in January 2019. Under the government Hajj scheme, a quota of 123,316 pilgrims was allocated. For the first time under the Road to Makkah Scheme, Hujjaj (pilgrims) were sent from Islamabad. Under the government scheme, Rs 438,000 were charged.

The committee members raised questions about the Muallem fee last year compared to the past. The committee was informed that Muallem fee was 1,600 riyals in 2019 and previous year it was 1,000 riyals. The committee convener asked how many people were given stay at Markazia and Azizia and where they were given stay in Medina. The committee asked for submitting all these details before the next meeting.

The committee sought the details of the deposits and usage of the Pilgrim Welfare Fund in the next meeting of the committee. The convener of the committee directed the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony to submit the details of the interest received in almost four months from submission of Hajj applications to balloting and the utilization of interest amount received from the banks during the four months period.

Jumani also sought the details of district-wise details of Hajj service visas issued this year. The ministry was directed to submit details of 300 Mujamla visas allegedly issued by ministry to various personalities during Hajj 2019. The committee sought three years audit report of Hajj Mission Jeddah and summoned former director general Hajj in Saudi Arabia Dr Sajid Yousafani in the next meeting.

Chaudhry Faqir Ahmed, a member of the subcommittee alleged that the pilgrims were provided expired Indian food. Briefing the committee, Additional Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dawood Muhammad Bareach said that the ministry is contemplating to formulate three years hajj policy.

Under the policy, buildings and catering service would be hired for three years period. Hajj fund would be established. The pilgrims would be provided the facility to deposit their dues in installments. Consultation with Ministry of Law and Justice are continuing before finalizing three years policy. He said that Road to Makkah Project would be expanded to all four provincial capitals of the country, adding that the complaints against four Makatib were lodged. Out of which two Makatib had been blacklisted by Saudi authorities and investigations against the rest are continuing.

The officials of the Religious Ministry informed that the Prime Minister has granted approval in principle for preparing a three-year Hajj Policy. Consultations in this regard are underway with the Ministry of Law. Cheap buildings would be available for three years and it would be determined through balloting who would perform Hajj and when.

The committee was further informed that the government is also considering Hajj Policy on the pattern of Malaysia where payment can be made in installments. Further efforts are underway for starting Road to Makkah from four provincial airports. The committee asked for details regarding Muallem fee, unhygienic food to Hujjaj, providing stay at Azizia and other related details in the next meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019

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