The National Assembly was informed on Friday that Pakistan Hajj delegation visited Saudi Arabia and signed an annual agreement for Hajj 2012.
Responding to a question‚ Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Shah said that under the agreement all the Hujjaj would be provided train facility that would reduce the travel time from 12-14 hours to 12-14 minutes.
He said earlier only the government sector Hujjaj were provided the facility but this time the private sector Hujjaj would also avail the facility. He said the facility would reduce the hardships of the Hujjaj as well as the travel time significantly.
He said under the agreement, 30,000 Hujjaj will first land in Madina and later travel to Makkah.
The minister said that the air fare has not been increased and the difference in the Hajj expenditure as compared to the last year is due to the increase in the value of Saudi Riyal. He said due to this difference hajj expenditure has increased up to sixteen thousands rupees.
