Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Muhammad Aminul Hasnat has said the government had decided to introduce a special tracking system this year to know about the exact location of each person. Talking to PTV News on Monday, the minister said that for the purpose a device would be fixed in wrist watches, lockets or rings wearing by the Hujjaj (pilgrims) which would help the monitoring team keep their track.
Replying to a question, he said food would be provided to the pilgrims of Government Hajj Scheme during their stay in Makkah Mukarrammah, Madina Munawwarrah and Mashahir (Mina) as it was included in the package. "The Hujjaj will also be provided with air cooler facility in Arfah," he added. He said pilgrims of government Hajj Scheme would be provided residential facilities within 500 meters near Haram Sharif.
He said all Hujjaj would be provided five litres 'Zam-Zam' water in specially packed bottles upon their return to Pakistan. He said the government had launched a training programme for the Hujjaj to guide them throughout the whole trip. He said a comprehensive awareness campaign would also be launched on national media for the guidance of 'Hujjaj'. He assured that 'Hajj Mohafiz Scheme' based on concept of 'Takaful' would continue this year. Total 143,268 pilgrims would perform the sacred obligation, 60 percent (86,021) under the Government Hajj Scheme and 40 percent (57,247) through Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs).