Pakistani pilgrims appreciate government’s hajj arrangements: 179,000 pilgrims performed hajj this year. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf
By.Asghar Ali Mubarak
Islamabad – The Pakistani Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said that talks will be held with Saudi authorities to get an increase in Hajj quota for the next year on the basis of country’s population. The minister was informed that under the post Hajj flight operation, over 14,000 pilgrims have returned to their home. The federal minister expressed satisfaction over the overall arrangements made this year for the pilgrims in Makkah and Madina.The Pakistani Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf while talking to media said Pakistani Hajjaj have appreciated government’s arrangements for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. Pakistani Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said 179,000 pilgrims performed Hajj this year. He said every possible facility was provided to pilgrims including transport, dispensary and meals. He said Express clearance service was also provided to the pilgrims on airports. The Minister said 250 Saudi Rials will be reimbursed to pilgrims who could not avail bus service. He said the pilgrims themselves have appreciated the arrangements relating to transport, accommodation and food. He said an amount of 250 riyal each is being returned to the pilgrims who were not provided with train tickets this year for movement between Mashaer. The minister said that the post Hajj flight operation has started which will be completed by 5th of next month. Earlier, Deputy Director Hajj Farooq Rashid briefed the minister about the arrangements made for Hujjaj in Madina. The minister was informed that about fifty eight thousand Pakistani pilgrims who could not visit Madina before Hajj will visit the city to pay respect at Roza-e-Rasool. The minister directed that all the requirements of the visiting pilgrims should be met.