–Hajj quota for 2020 to be divided between government, private schemes in 60:40 ratio
–Applicants who could not win seats in the lotteries conducted during the last three years will be declared successful without having to take part in new lottery
ISLAMABAD: A 14 point agenda, including the approval of Hajj Policy and Plan 2020, is likely to be taken up by the federal cabinet in its meeting on Tuesday.
According to the agenda, the meeting will be held under the chair of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan here at the Prime Minister’s House and will take up summaries of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Cabinet, Commerce, Defence, States & Frontier Regions National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony divisions, and Board of Investment (BoI) beside any other item if the premier permits.
As per sources, it is also highly probable that important decisions on reducing prices of essential commodities would be taken during the meeting.
It may be mentioned here that the Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony has devised a new hajj policy under which 179,210 a pilgrim will be able to perform the duty of pilgrimage during the ongoing year at a cost of around Rs500,000.
According to the new draft available with this scribe, the ratio of pilgrimage quota for this year will be divided between the government and private schemes in a ratio of 60 by 40 per cent which is to remain the same in case of the availability of any additional quota from Saudi Arabia.
Similarly, the proposed pilgrimage package bill for people belonging to the country’s northern region will be Rs550,210 while southerners will be worth Rs542,210; eight thousand less than the northerners. These proposals, however, do not take into account the Rs24,200 expenditure for a sacrificial animal per person.
Pakistan Today further learnt that a total of 10,000 seats have been allocated for citizens above the age of 70, while those applicants who could not win seats in the lotteries conducted during the last three years will be declared successful without having to take part in a new lottery.
The quota will also reserve 1,000 seats for overseas Pakistanis which may be increased as the government might enter extra applicants into a lottery that might win them a seat to the holy city.
On the same pattern, 500 seats have been allocated for employees of the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and those who are working in registered companies of the Workers Welfare Fund (WWF).
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony, the Jeddah Directorate Hajj has been advised to make arrangements for the best accommodations, transport facilities, medical aid and food for pilgrims who will perform the religious duties in Mecca and Madina.
Details of this year’s pilgrimage policy further transpire that a separate section to ensure timely guidance to pilgrims will be established in the Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony while the department’s secretary or his nominee officer of grade BS20/21 will supervise the whole operation in Saudi Arabia himself.
In this connection, efforts to initiate the ‘Road to Mecca’ project from Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta airports besides Islamabad airport will also be made by concerned officials.
Moreover, those Pakistanis who have not performed hajj during the last five years are allowed to submit an application for Hajj-e-Badal and Nafl Hajj. However, this condition will not be applicable to those who intend to reap benefits from private pilgrimage schemes.
