RAWALPINDI – The government finalized all the arrangements includingaccommodation, transportation, catering and others in Saudi Arabia forgovernment Hajj scheme 2018 said Federal Minister for Religious AffairsSardar Muhammad Yousuf.

Talking to media after taking oath from the elected members of CentralLabour Union Rawalpindi here on Friday he said, due to excellent Hajjarrangements made last year by the government in Saudi Arabia, recordnumber of applications were submitted this year by the citizens forgovernment Hajj scheme 2018. The government has formulated a policy tofacilitate the intending hajj pilgrims, he added.

The Minister said, the government was taking more steps to ensure betterhajj arrangements.

Sardar Yousaf to a question informed that the government had fixed 67percent quota for the government hajj scheme and 33 percent for the privatesector. The Supreme Court in a case gave verdict fixing 60 and 40 percentquota while the government has filed a review petition for additional sevenpercent government quota.

He further said, a quota of 10,000 was fixed for the applicants applyingfor last three years consecutively and 10,000 for the intending hajjpilgrims of over 80 years. He informed that training of intending hajjpilgrims has also been started.

He further said, the government had adopted a transparent policy for 2018Hajj scheme, adding different committees formed in this regard wereapproved by federal cabinet.

Minister hoped that the Supreme Court would soon give a verdict in Hajjquota review petition.

Sardar Yousaf said, all out efforts would be made to facilitate the Hajjpilgrims in Saudi Arabia and best arrangements would be made like lastyears. – APP