Hajj Policy and Plan 2019 to be devised in next three months: Noor-ul-Haq Qadri

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ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday was informed that the policy regarding Hajj next year will be devised in the next three months.

The announcement was made by Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Noor-ul-Haq Qadri while responding to a question during question hour.

The minister said that the process for the formulation of Hajj Policy and Plan 2019 has been initiated.

He said that the decision regarding Hajj dues to be collected per Haji will be taken after consultation with all the stakeholders including the designated airlines in due course of time and the NA will be informed accordingly.

Responding to another question, he said Qadri said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and his government are committed to developing Pakistan on the pattern of the state of Madina.

The minister said that dialogue among various religious communities of Pakistan is vital for interfaith harmony in the country which is why the government is planning to organise an international interfaith harmony conference next year.

Furthermore, Minister of State for Housing and Works Shabbir Ali informed the House that the government is committed to providing housing facilities to poor people under the Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme. He said that the programme had initially been launched in only a few districts of Pakistan as a pilot project, but will surely be expanded to other districts in the next phase.

He added that the expansion of the housing schemes will be undertaken after due consultation.

Responding to a call to attention notice, Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda assured that the concerns of Sindh regarding the non-provision of water according to the 1991 Water Accord will be addressed. He said that 58 per cent of water theft in the country has been reported in Karachi and the issue will be addressed in consultation with the Sindh government.

“A third-party neutral audit of water theft can also be arranged,” said Vawda while adding that water issue concerns of other provinces will also be addressed by the government on a priority basis.