ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has determined to allocate a 25 per cent particular quota within the Government Hajj Scheme for the pilgrims who will deposit dues in {dollars}, ARY News reported.
The ministry additionally determined that the intending pilgrims, depositing dues in {dollars}, could be exempted from the balloting beneath the brand new Hajj coverage, official sources mentioned on Friday.
They mentioned about 22,400 pilgrims would profit from the ‘Sponsorship Scheme’ being launched by the ministry within the wake of the present overseas change reserves within the nation.
The Hajj bills may be submitted via overseas remittances in {dollars}, the sources added.
They mentioned the Ministry of Finance had indicated that it might not have the ability to organize some 2 billion {dollars} for the Hajj in view of the foreign exchange liquidity drawback.
The sources mentioned the Religious Ministry had elevated the Hajj quota for personal operators from 40 per cent to 50 per cent, which may be additional raised within the wake of a persistent overseas change liquidity crunch.
They mentioned the ministry would cost Rs 1.1 million from every pilgrim beneath the federal government scheme, however the Hajj bills would possibly rise to Rs 1.three million in case of additional depreciation of the rupee.
The sources mentioned the Saudi Government was growing the tax charge on Hajj by 18 to 20 %.
Last Month, Saudi Arabia allotted a quota of nearly 180,000 pilgrims to Pakistan who will have the ability to carry out the annual Hajj ritual in 2023.
According to particulars, the federal government of Pakistan (GoI) signed a bilateral settlement with Saudi Arabia for Haj 2023, after which it was introduced that this 12 months, 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims will carry out the annual ritual.
The settlement was signed by Federal Minister of Religious Affairs Mufti Abdul Shakoor, Acting Director General (DG) Hajj Sajid Manzoor Asadi.
The settlement acknowledged that 50 % of pilgrims would arrive at Madinah Airport, whereas the opposite 50 % at Jeddah Airport. The first Hajj flight will depart on 1st Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah, whereas the lodging will probably be introduced on 15th Shaban.