As many as 36,000 Pakistani pilgrims would be deprived from performing Hajj this year, out of the allocated quota, owing to the extension of Masjid al-Haram in holy city of Makkah, source said.
Saudi authorities have launched work on a new historic $10.6-billion expansion of the mosque in Makkah, increasing its capacity to more than 2.5 million worshippers.
The Saudi government had slapped a 20 percent cut on the Pakistani pilgrims performing Hajj this year which would deprive 36000 to fulfill their religious obligation.
Sources said further these 36,000 Pakistanis had deposited around Rs 14 billion to the Religious Affairs Ministry and this amount has already been transferred to the Saudi authorities. Refund of this amount to the depositors would definitely be a cumbersome and time taking process, sources added.
To sort out the ticklish confronting issues of taking back of Rs 14 billion from the Saudi authorities and its disbursement to the people, Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Yousaf consulted two former federal religious ministers Khursheed Shah and Ejazul Haq on Tuesday.
Khurshid has advised Yousaf to ask Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to raise this issue with the Saudi authorities during his visit.
Acting on his advice, Yousaf directed the ministry for making a report on the issue which would be presented to the prime minister within next few days.
