ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has announced a refund of Rs 40,000 to pilgrims who performed Hajj last year.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik, while talking to a private TV channel, said that the refund will be made on a category-by-category basis.
He also said that this year, pilgrims will be provided with more facilities for the same amount of money. According to estimates, each pilgrim will get back up to Rs 40,000. This year, pilgrims will be provided with additional facilities in Mina at the same price.
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The federal minister further said that this year, pilgrims will be provided with three meals a day during Hajj. Last year, there were room coolers in Mina; this year, air conditioning will be provided. Last year, pilgrims stayed in cloth tents in Mina.
This year, tents made of gypsum will be provided to pilgrims in Mina. The biggest facility will be on the Road to Mecca. The immigration of pilgrims will be done in Pakistan, and the luggage will be available in the Saudi hotel.
It should be noted that this year, under the Hajj policy, the federal cabinet has decided that children below the age of 12 will not be allowed to travel for Hajj.
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The statement said, “Computerized balloting will be done regarding the government quota. 300 seats have been earmarked for laborers or low-income employees who will be registered with the Workers’ Welfare Fund or Employees’ Old Age Benefit Institute.”
Under the new Hajj policy, the Road to Makkah project facility will be available at the international airports of Islamabad and Karachi.
The Makkah Route Initiative, commonly known as “Road to Makkah,” aims to provide travel facilities to Hajj pilgrims from all over the world.
