ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is expected to suffer a loss of Rs 1 billion after the Hajj quota was decreased by 20 percent by the Saudi government.
The Joint Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs Shehzad Ahmad said that the applications of 85,000 pilgrims had been accepted and there would be a loss if 18,000 were not allowed to perform Hajj.
Ahmad said that advance payments had been made for the housing of pilgrims and the issue of returning funds had been raised with Saudi government.
The 20 percent decrease in Hajj Quota is applicable for all Muslim countries due to the ongoing expansion project of the Masjid-e-Haram.
