The government has increased Haj quota and 160,000 intending pilgrims would perform the next Haj from Pakistan. This was stated by Religious Affairs Minister Muhammad Ejazul Haq while addressing a news conference here on Tuesday after returning from Saudi Arabia. This is remarkable increase in previous Haj quota, which was 110,000, he added.
He said the ministry will start receiving Haj applications during this month and Haj balloting will be held on the 15th of next month. He said 50 percent intending pilgrims will perform Haj under the government scheme and other 50 percent through the private tour operators. He said efforts will be made to send 20,000 intending pilgrims direct to Madina.
Ejazul Haq said during his latest visit, he met his Saudi counterpart and other officials concerned and discussed in detail Haj matters. He said the Saudi government has appreciated the arrangements made by the Pakistan government for Hajis during the last Haj.
He pointed out that the Saudi government has framed new Umra rules and regulations. Under the rules the Saudi government cautioned that if five percent or more people going for Umra from Pakistan will overstay, a ban will be imposed. In this connection, Ejazul Haq said the government has decided to cancel the license of those tour operators, if three percent of their client travelled through overstayed in Saudi Arabia.
The minister said while in Saudi Arabia he met Imam-e-Ka'aba, who stressed the need for unity among the Muslim Ummah to meet the present day challenges. He said there is no place of terrorism and extremism in Islam. Referring to Jamia Afsa issue, Imam-e-Ka'aba regretted that the clerics of Jamia Hafsa and Lal Masjid did not accept the viewpoint of Ulema and scholars like Maulana Taqi Usmani.
The Imam-e-Ka'aba said in the presence of the government, the clerics of Jamia Hafsa and Lal Masjid cannot announce setting up of Shariah Adalat.
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