Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has said the government is making serious efforts to provide maximum facilities to the intending hajis this year.
He said while talking to Radio Pakistan that arrangements for 52,000 pilgrims have already been made. One hundred and forty three thousand Pakistanis will perform Hajj this year, he added.
Yousaf said that Ministry would adopt a transparent process while allocating accommodations to the pilgrims. He said accommodation arrangements for 52,000 pilgrims have already been made.
To a question, Yousaf said on special directives of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, haj package has already been reduced by Rs 23,000 as part of the government’s commitment to extend maximum facilities to the pilgrims.
He said the ministry has made a special request to the Saudi authorities to exempt Pakistani pilgrims from submitting food charges during their stay in Saudi Arabia.
To another question on increase in Umrah fees by the Saudi government, the minister said though Umrah arrangements are made by private tour operators, yet the Ministry will take up this issue with Saudi officials.
