ISLAMABAD – The Senate was informed on Friday that government is makingefforts to provide maximum relief to intending pilgrims in meeting Hajjexpenses.
This was stated by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali MuhammadKhan while responding to a call attention notice moved by Mushtaq Ahmedregarding exorbitant increase in the Hajj expenses by the government thisyear.
He said recent increase in Hajj expenses was a result of increasedexpenditure in Saudi Arabia which is beyond control of Pakistanigovernment. He said PML-N government deliberately did not increase Hajjexpenses in 2017-18 due to election year.
Ali Muhammad Khan said seventy percent of Hajj expenditures are incurred inSaudi Arabia and the government of Pakistan cannot control them. He saidbuildings rent was increased from 60900 to 94185 rupees. Cost oftransportation increased from 9000 to 13104 rupees, food charges from 23000to 38000 rupees, Madina accommodation from 23200 to 40000, train chargesfrom 7250 to 20000 rupees, Qurbani from 13050 to 19451 rupees while cost ofair travel has gone up by 17000 rupees.
The Minister of State said devaluation of Pakistani rupee has also causedsurge in Hajj expenses.
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Ali Muhammad Khan said compulsory Hajj charges have gone up from 31,813 to70,000 rupees, expenditure at Mushair from 25,520 to 42,000, luggagecharges from 580 to 819 rupees, while arrival snacks presented to pilgrimsat airports, express service at airport, and Zamzam charges each increasedfrom 290 to 409 rupees.
The House has now been prorogued due to lack of quorum.
