Special Committee constituted to implement Hajj Policy 2018

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Monday said Cabinet has constituted a Special Committee consisting of eight ministers for supervisions, troubleshooting and implementation of Hajj Policy, 2018.

Briefing the meeting of National Assembly Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, he assured that all out efforts would be made to facilitate the Hujjaj during the ensuing Hajj-2018.

The meeting was chaired by Ms. Shagufta Jumani, MNA. The Committee discussed in detail the issue of the conversion of 500 service visas into Mujamla visas by the Ministry.

Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony clarified that Mujamla visa was a courtesy visa offered by the Government of the Kingkom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and was directly managed by the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad. The Ministry had no relevance/concern with issuance of Mujamla visa.

The Committee considered the comprehensive report/implementation with reference to observations of Cabinet members and directions of Cabinet.

The Committee was briefed about the visit of the official high level delegation to pay homage to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on behalf of people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan at Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH) during December 8-14, 2017.

Hajj Organizers Association of Pakistan (HOAP) also briefed the Committee about the concerns of the Private Tour Operators. The Committee recommended that the previous percentage of Hajj quota which was 60/40 percent might be restored for Hajj, 2018.

MNAs Malik Abdul Ghaffar Dogar, Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, Sahibzada Faiz-ul-Hussan, Bismillah Khan, Muhammad Kamal Malik, Ms. Kiran Imran Dar, Ms. Shaida Akhtar Ali, Sahibzada Muhammad Yaqub, Mr. Lal Chand Malhi and Molvi Agha Muhammad attended the meeting.