Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Vakil Ahmed Khan said on Wednesday that cost of forthcoming Haj would be very high this year owing to lowering rupee value, high rent of buildings in Saudi Arabia and increasing fares of airlines.
'The rupee is going down against dollar and riyal while airfares have been increased by airlines due to escalating petroleum prices in the international market,' he told APP here.
He pointed out that last year, PIA charged Rs 46,000 per person as airfare when per barrel cost of crude oil was at $70. "The price of crude oil is likely to touch $150 per barrel at the time when pilgrims start leaving for Hajj," he added. He said about 1,800 buildings have been demolished around the Harm in Shamia and Ghaza areas of Makkah Al Mukarrama and as a result the rent of buildings has gone up considerably.
The Secretary, however, informed that the ministry has so far arranged buildings to accommodate 25,000 pilgrims. "We are obtaining more buildings as early as possible to house all pilgrims to be sent under government scheme," he added.
Moreover, he said it would not be possible this year to accommodate all pilgrims within 1,000 meters around Haram. About quota, he said that about 165,000 Pakistani pilgrims would perform Haj this year.
The applications under government scheme would be invited through designated branches of banks in the second week of June, he added. Vakil Ahmed informed that applicants will be entertained on first come first serve basis and there will not be balloting to select pilgrims under government scheme.
Regarding complaints against private Haj tour operators, he said, 'We have received 73 complaints against 53 private Haj tour operators after conclusion of last Haj.' He said the complaints are being scrutinised and assured that strict action would be taken in case of any serious grievance. As many as 595 private Haj organisers were selected by the Ministry to send pilgrims under the private scheme.
Meanwhile, he said a monitoring team comprising 40 officials selected from different ministries and organisations was deployed to address complaints and problems faced by the pilgrims.
About sending pilgrims by sea, he said, 'We are still examining this possibility and if approved by the Cabinet, tenders will be invited from international firms to ferry our pilgrims through ships.' He, however, assured the matter will be discussed with Saudi officials because the duration of Haj for the pilgrims travelling through ships will increase.
When asked about allocation of space in Mina, he said, 'We have requested the Moassasah South Asia to allocate space to the Pakistani pilgrims in Mina and also impressed upon them to play a role in collaboration with the Saudi Government to persuade the owners of buildings in fixing a justifiable rent.'
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