Applications for the Hajj can be submitted from March 16 to March 31, 2023, Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Mufti Abdul Shakoor said while unveiling the Hajj Policy 2023. He said that applications may be made at 14 specific banks around the country.
He said that pilgrims in the northern region of Pakistan must pay Rs1.175 million for the Hajj while those in the southern portion must pay Rs1.165 million.
“Pakistan’s Hajj expenses are lower than those of India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The Saudi government has lowered the Hajj price for Pakistan at our request,” he added. In addition, the Ministry of Finance has donated $90 million to help with Hajj.
The minister said that the price of Hajj had increased because of the depreciation of the currency. “Pakistan has a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for the Hajj in 2023.” He claimed that both Mina and Muzdalifah will offer rail service to pilgrims.
He continued by saying that the administration was working to give pilgrims access to all amenities. He said that only required costs were included in the Hajj payment.
The Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had promised last week to offer all of his help and cooperation in order to make the Hajj pilgrimage in 2023 as easy as possible.
As the meeting’s chairman, he announced that Hajj was a vital religious duty that every Muslim must do and that “we have to play our role for the blessings of Almighty Allah.” The gathering was informed about the Hajj-2023 strategy and the anticipated number of Pakistanis who had filed for Hajj, according to a news statement.
Shakoor discussed certain foreign exchange-related concerns with the finance minister during the meeting and asked for his help. He expressed his gratitude to the finance minister for his assistance and support. Pakistan International Airlines is furthermore anticipated to start Hajj operations soon.
