ISLAMABAD – Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Pir Noorul Haq Qadri Friday said the ministry was vigorously working on a ‘New HajjPolicy’ that would be unveiled soon.
Addressing the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected body of the HajjOrganizers Association of Pakistan (HOAP) here, he said the governmentwanted to facilitate the pilgrims by providing them maximum facilities onlowest possible rates.
The minister said the government of Saudi Arabia was yet to impose furthertax after the increase in Hajj package by the government.
He said the HOAP was also playing its role to run Hajj operation in a goodmanner despite of some minor issues which would be addressed on priority.
He appreciated the government of Saudi Arabia for making effective Hajjarrangements.He said his ministry was facing increasing demand of Hajj quota under thegovernment scheme, following the Indonesian model.
The minister assured full cooperation to the HOAP and stressed the need formaking concerted efforts to facilitate the pilgrims.
Newly elected Chairman of HOAP Shahid Rafiq urged the government to restorethe quota of private companies which had been reduced in order to createharmony between the government and the companies.
Read Top Stories
He said besides allocating quota for the new companies, the ministry shouldalso increase the quota for the existing companies.
He said last year, the private companies had faced immense loss in Hajjoperation and requested the ministry for early announcement of the Hajjpolicy so that they could expedite their arrangements.
Outgoing Chairman of HOAP Abdul Waheed Butt said the new policy shouldaddress the problems faced by the private tour operators including thematters related to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
The minister administered the oath to the newly elected body of the HOAPand also presented shield to the outgoing HOAP chairman.
