A delegation of Ministry of Religious Affairs Thursday left for Saudi Arabia to discuss Hajj Policy-2010 with the authorities concerned to ensure maximum facilities for Pakistan's intending pilgrims. The delegation, led by Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi, will meet the Saudi authorities on March 6 where additional quota for Pakistan in the upcoming pilgrimage is likely to be discussed.
Secretary of the Ministry Agha Sarwar Raza Qazalbash and Joint Secretary (Hajj) Aftab-ul-Islam Raja were also accompanying the Minister. Last year, Pakistan was expecting an additional Hajj quota of 10,000, but no such facility was extended by Saudi Arabia . As many as 160,000 pilgrims performed the Hajj-2009 under the government and private schemes.
Kazmi, prior to his departure for Saudi Arabia, told APP that the draft of new Hajj policy would hopefully be completed by first week of April. "Though the ministry has planned to finalise the policy by March end, but due to some engagements like holding of national Seerat conference in connection with the holy month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the draft would hopefully be completed in the first week of April," he said.
The minister said 'innovative and radical' proposals were being incorporated in the new Hajj policy, which would be announced after getting formal approval from the Federal Cabinet. "Various proposals are under consideration to incorporate in the new Hajj policy for providing maximum facilities to the intending pilgrims for the Hajj-2010," he added.
Kazmi said the draft of the policy was being finalised in consultation with all the stakeholders which would be sent to the cabinet for approval. To a question, he said private airlines would be invited to participate in the next Hajj flight operation as earlier only two international airlines were allowed to operate Hajj flights from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia and vice versa.
He said the ministry was in the favour of competition among the airlines, in order to create competitive environment in the airfares. To another question, Hamid Saeed Kazmi said the ministry conducted the Hajj Operation on no-profit and no-loss basis, while the profit received on the funds deposited in Hajj accounts were spent on welfare of Pakistani Hujjaj in Saudi Arabia.
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