ISLAMABAD - Federal government to announce Hajj Policy 2019 in second week of January 2019, said official sources in Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony here on Wednesday.
According to sources, the draft of Hajj Policy 2019 was being finalized after consultations with all stakeholders and organizing consultative workshops at several cities. The applications for securing berth in Government Hajj Scheme would be invited from the general public by last week of January, 2019.
The ministry was contemplating to retain the quota for government and private Hajj operators by 60:40 respectively, he said adding that the ministry has proposed open sky policy for airlines to transport Hujjaj to Saudi Arabia.
The ministry, he said may allot quota to new Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs).
He said 184,210 Pakistanis would perform Hajj next year following the increase of country’s Hajj quota by 5,000 pilgrims as comparing to this year’s pilgrimage. Saudi government has already been asked to further enhance Hajj quota of Pakistan.
The Hajj dues of the applicants would be kept in Sharia Complaint remunerative accounts. Pakistanis will be given E-visas.
He said the ministry has imposed strict conditions on scheduled banks, receiving Hajj applications of Government Hajj Scheme during Hajj 2019.
The banks should have different counters at each designated branch, besides deploying special staff for guiding the intending pilgrims in submitting Hajj applications to the Ministry. - APP