ISLAMABAD – Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony DrNoor-ul-Haq Qadri has said government is striving hard to provide bestfacilities to Pakistani intending pilgrims.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad this evening, he said Saudiauthorities have agreed to include Pakistan into their road to Makkahproject to complete immigration procedure at Karachi and Lahore airports.He said the government is trying to get this facility extended to Peshawarand Islamabad as well.
The Minister said that Saudi Hajj authorities are also working out onPakistan’s demand of providing e-visa facility to Pakistan’s pilgrims.
He said this time direct flights will be operated from Quetta to Madina andJeddah. He said fresh meal of Pakistani taste will be served to pilgrimsduring their stay at Mashair.
Dr Noor-ul-Haq Qadri said a temporary Haji Camp will be established atGilgit for the facilitation of intending pilgrims from Gilgit-Baltistan andmobile biometric verification will be done in far flung areas of thecountry.
The Minister said social media will be used to guide and train intendingpilgrims.
Shedding light on reasons behind raise in Hajj package under governmentscheme, Dr Noor-ul-Haq Qadri said increase in currency exchange rate, Sauditaxes, train fare during Mashair and higher air fare and buildings’ renthave caused rise in cost.
The Minister said cost of government hajj scheme in terms of dollar isstill the lowest among regional countries in terms of dollar.
He said there are reports that some private Hajj tour operators areoffering Hajj package less than the government scheme, which is totallybaseless. He said any intending pilgrim should only contact registered touroperators.