ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: State Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Pir Muhammad Amin Ul Hasnat Friday informed the National Assembly that the ministry has taken up proposal with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to slash 40 per cent fare for Hajj 2016 owing to dipping of fuel prices at international market.
Responding to various supplementary questions during Question Hour, he said the PIA would take up the matter with its technical team and then would be finalized the airfare for Hajj.
To a question, the minister said some Rs. 326,000 was charged from each Haji under government Hajj scheme in 2013, Rs. 272,000 each in 2014 and Rs. 264,000 each in 2015. The government’s Hajj scheme witnessed gradual decrease during the past three years, he added.
To another question, Pir Hasnat said due to ongoing expansion work of Haram sharif which is expected to be completed this year, the Saudi Arabia has excused to restore Hajj quota for Hajj 2016 like India and Bangladesh.
He said the Saudi Arabia has allocated the quota of 143,368 to Pakistan for Hajj 2016, as per previous year, by opting the uniform policy for all countries. In this regard, the government has started arrangements for Hajj 2016 accordingly, he added.
The minister said the original quota is expected to be restored next year.
To a question, he said as many as 1108 welfare staff proceeded to Saudi Arabia during Hajj 2015 through PIA, Air blue and Shaheen Airline.
Free accommodation/airtravel alongwith DA @ of SR.150/- (BS-17 and above) and SR.120/-(BS. 1-16) was provided to the Khudam-ul-Hujjaj during Hajj- 2015, he said.
He said no journalist was accompanied with the Khudam-ul-Hujjaj.
