The Haj Policy for 2008, which was recently announced, provides for 164,647 Pakistanis performing the holiest Islamic pilgrimage this year. Of them, 85,000 will be entitled to fulfil the religious obligation under government sponsorship, while 9,647 will do so through private operators.
Significantly, however, the Haj Policy this time was unveiled only after the Supreme Court issued a verdict on a petition after examining the policy submitted by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Needless to point out, from all available indications, the Haj Policy appears to be silent about any measures dealing with uncertainties of perilous accidents witnessed on the solemn occasion of Haj, more so in the recent past.
And this may be attributable, of course, to a number of multi-directional preventive measures taken in a row by the Saudi government. Significantly, pilgrims from Pakistan in increasing numbers have taken notice of relief from such hazards, to which they, themselves, have been willingly contributing to their own perceptible satisfaction.
This has reference, among other things, to the disastrous stampede witnessed during the obligatory stoning of Satans as often resulting in losses of life and limbs among pilgrims. That this has been made possible through application of modern scientific approach and resort to advanced technological methods, should inspire Muslim societies the world to emulate the Saudi example goes without saying.
Reference, in this context, may also be made to the oil rich Saudi Kingdom's unceasing stress on increasing investment on further glorification of the holy land by purposeful development of its infrastructure in line with the developed countries, with a keen eye on facilitating not only the pilgrims, but also the local inhabitants and foreigners engaged in projects of its overall economic development.
The big difference made during half a century is now felt all over the world, more so, from the pleasant experience shared by the pilgrims with the people back home. It is, however, another matter that in so far as the cost of the pilgrimage is concerned, Saudi Arabia can do little to provide any relief to its aspirants.
This refers, in particular, to the exceptionally high cost intending Hajis will have to bear this time, primarily, due to the sharp increase in prices of oil and house rents in Makkah. This may be why the policy does not mention anything with regard to sharing to any extent the increase in expenses, including the cost of Haj flights, ostensibly, leaving it to the discretion of the would-be Hajis themselves.
The only exception to this, as Prime Minister's Advisor on Religious Affairs Allama Hamid Saeed Kazmi, revealed would be in the case of unidentified 150 people, whose expenses will be paid by the Haj Foundation. It will be noted that a substantial increase has been made in the expenses to be incurred by the applicants.
Expenses for those departing from Quetta and Karachi have been raised to Rs 185,000 from Rs 130,750 and for those taking off from Islamabad, Lahore and other cities to Rs 200,000 from Rs 138,450. As for the other means of facilitation, he said that 500 seats have been fixed for labourers and an even number for overseas Pakistanis.
More to this, some 7,750 people will perform Haj under a quota scheme, which allocates 50 seats, each, for the Senate Chairman, National Assembly Speaker, provincial governors and chief ministers, besides prime minister and president of Azad Kashmir and 10 seats each for the 342 MNAs and 100 Senators.
Names will be drawn by computerised ballot on receipt of applications in excess of the required number, excluding special quotas and people who could not be accommodated in the past two years. People having performed Haj more than five times will not be allowed to go. However, the new Haj scheme also envisages sending 30,000 pilgrims directly to Madinah, and to be flown back via Jeddah. Another 30,000 will land in Jeddah and will be flown back from Madinah to reduce the pilgrims' travel fatigue.