Minister for Religious Affairs Ejaz-ul-Haq on Friday distributed cheques as compensation among the heirs of Pakistani pilgrims killed in a stampede at Mina during the last Haj.
As many as 42 Pakistani pilgrims were killed during the Mina stampede among which 23 belonged to Punjab, eight to Sindh, four to NWFP, three to Balochistan and remaining three from various parts of the country. The cheques, each amounting Rs 100,000, were distributed here among the heirs of those martyred pilgrims who belong to Rawalpindi and Islamabad while the remaining cheques would be delivered at local levels among the heirs.
Speaking at the ceremony, the minister said the government was making every possible effort to improve the Haj arrangements. He said that he also held meetings with the Saudi government officials to carry out efforts to facilitate the Hajis. However, he appealed the successful Haj applicants not to take with them their belongings while performing Haj.