ISLAMABAD - The Federal Cabinet has approved the Hajj policy 2019 with an aim to provide maximum and exemplary facilities to the Pakistani pilgrims.
This was stated by Information Minister Chaudhary Fawad Hussain while briefing media about important decisions of the federal cabinet in Islamabad this evening.
He said under the new policy direct Hajj flights will be launched from Quetta for the first time.
Information Minister said the intending pilgrims will be provided biometric system facility at local level to expedite the processing of Hajj applications.
The Minister said about 1, 84, 000 Pakistani pilgrims will have the opportunity to perform Hajj this year.
The Minister said a quota of 10,000 pilgrims has been reserved for elderly citizens while another portion of 500 Hujjaj has been fixed for low income people.
Regarding foreign policy initiatives, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said the PTI Government has changed the direction of Pakistan's Foreign Policy in the best interest of people.
He said relationship and the United States are on upward trajectory while situation in Afghanistan is improving.
The Minister said Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Suleman will be visiting Pakistan soon. He said e-visa facilities are being provided to 175 countries.
Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said citizen of 98 countries can take advantage of business visa facility. He said journalist visa for Pakistan will be made easy.
The Minister said a supplementary grant has been approved for Prime Minister's Youth Training Programme.
He said Karachi Infrastructure Development Company will now be function under Cabinet Division. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan will directly monitor the development activities in Karachi.