- Three-member committee to present report to PM in 3 days.
- Panel to review efforts for compliance of Saudi Hajj policy.
- Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf briefs PM Shehbaz.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed an inquiry committee to probe the alleged failure of Pakistani authorities to fulfil the formalities set by Saudi Arabia for availing private Hajj scheme quota of 70,000 pilgrims.
The three-member committee, headed by federal secretary for Cabinet Division Kamran Afzal, comprises Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Chaudhary Rashid Mahmood Langrial and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmad Mirza and will present its report to the PM in three days, The News reported on Saturday.
The Hajj, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, involves a series of rituals in Makkah and its surroundings in western Saudi Arabia that take several days to complete.
One of the five pillars of Islam, must be performed at least once by all Muslims who have the means to do so.
Hajj, one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, is performed each year by millions of Muslims worldwide. Pakistan receives one of the highest Hajj quotas from Saudi Arabia.
According to the notification the prime minister has taken serious notice of the non-availing of private Hajj quota for Hajj-2025 due to non-compliance of requirements of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and ordered the constitution of an inquiry committee on “Hajj Arrangements”.
The committee will be supported by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony and will also review the ministry’s efforts to ensure compliance with Saudi policy for private Hajj operators.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf told the publication on Friday that he gave a presentation to the PM on the matter a day ago.
To a query, Sardar Yousaf, who assumed office last month, said all relevant arrangements for Hajj had been completed before he assumed office. Chaudhary Salik Hussain, who had been earlier holding additional charge of the ministry, was not available for comments.
It is to be noted that as many as 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims will perform the Hajj this year
The cost of the 40-day-long Hajj package has been reduced by Rs25,000, bringing the total to Rs1,050,000.
Similarly, the 25-day short Hajj package has been further reduced by Rs50,000, setting the new price at Rs1,100,000.