1,59,647 Pakistanis will perform Hajj through Hajj Policy 2010
535 viewsBy abbasmushtaq - Thu Jun 03, 5:28 pm
Federal Minister for Religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi said that according to Hajj-Policy 2010 1,59,647 Pakistanis will perform Hajj and on Government Hajj scheme applications could be filed from 10th June to 25th June 2010 while private Hajj Operators could file applications till 15th August 2010.
Announcing Hajj Policy 2010 on Thursday, he informed that religious ministry has estimated Hajj expenditures Rs. 2,26,000/ for the people of Karachi and Rs. 2,38,000 each for the people of other cities in the country adding that Rs. 6,000/ has been increased in Hajj fair as compare to last year’s Hajj expenditures.
He also said that Foreign Ministry has requested to Saudi Government to increase Pakistanis Quota for Hujjaj to Ten Thousand in accordance of population census of Pakistan adding that Eighty thousand people will perform Hajj on government scheme, while 79,647 people will perform Hajj through private Hajj operators.
Religious Minister further pointed out that Hajj applications would be accepted with computerized NADRA cards, as Saudi Government has clarified that Saudi Visas would be issued only on read-able passports adding that the applicants should also submit medical certificate of the registered doctor along the application.
PIA and Saudi Airlines will perform the task of transportation for Hujjaj to Saudi Arabia and religious ministry has also contacted with other airlines but PIA has given lowest rates as compare to other airlines adding that no VIP Hajj flight has been scheduled in the current Hajj policy, Kazmi said.
Religious Minister also informed that Hajj flights would leave for Saudi Arabia from Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Sialkot and Multan. If the strength of applicants increased from the allocated quota then religious ministry will make draw for the applicants, however those applicants who were applying for last two consecutive years would be allowed without inducting in the draw.
Talking about expenditures during stay in Saudi Arabia, federal Minister informed that terminal tax has been charged up to Rs. 1650, residence fair in Mecca is estimated 3600 Riyal (Rs.82,800) residence charges in Medina 500 Riyal (Rs. 11,500), other compulsory charges included 1789 Riyal, Service charges Rs. 500, Vaccination charges Rs. 700, Personal exchange Quota Rs. 20703/ and the applicants have to deposit Rs. 2,38,000/ along applications in the banks. Applicants could file their applications in National Bank, Habib bank, Muslim Bank, Allied Bank and Agriculture Developmental Bank.
He also informed that private Hajj Tour operators in accordance of their past performances would be divided into A,B,C,D and E category and these Private Hajj operators could register themselves from 7th June to 17th June and scrutiny on their files would be made from 18th to 30 June and categories of private Hajj operators would be announced from 1st July to 7th July 2010 adding that Private Hajj operators of A category will held quota of 260 to 300 Hujjaj, B-Category 230 to 250, C-Category 140 to 150.
Responding to a question regarding residences of Pakistani Hujjaj in Saudi Arabia, Minister said that 150 to 200 buildings have been hired for the Hujjaj adding that during ‘Rami’ all the Pakistani Hujjaj would be resided in Old Camp of Mina that are littlebit costly but nearest to ‘Jamarat’.
He also informed that Ministry of religious affairs has appointed over five hundred expatriate Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia to assist Hujjaj in Saudi Arabia during Hajj adding that Director General Hajj (Jeddah) will head hiring Committee of Hujjaj in Saudi Arabia instead of Pakistani ambassador in Saudi Arabia to locate residents for the Pakistani Hujjaj.
