Hajj 2014: Govt expresses satisfaction over Hajj arrangements

Says Hajj operations will conclude by November 10

ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid and Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf have expressed satisfaction over government’s arrangements for pre- and post-Hajj operation, which, they said, will end by November 10.

Addressing a joint press conference on Wednesday, Rashid said during this Hajj there was no complaint of corruption or difficulty during pilgrimage.

He said the Hajj operation started on the day when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) predicted in their sit-ins that the government would end before Eidul Azha. “However, the government did excellent arrangements for pilgrims,” he added.

Sharing details of Hajj operation, Sardar Yousuf said last year 10,000 complaints were received while this year only 1,400 Hajis registered their complaints, which showed better arrangements.

“Out of total 143,368 pilgrims, 56,684 availed government scheme while 86,684 availed private sector scheme. In one day government received 127,586 applications under government scheme but only 54,850 were facilitated for Hajj on the basis of first come first avail,” he said.

The minister said the government had reduced rate by Rs24,000. The government charged 3,000 riyal as building rent from each pilgrim while 3,800 riyal was charged for the same facility last year, he added.

He said several camps, set up by ministry of religious affairs, were engaged in training pilgrims and their vaccinations. “The religious ministry hired 108 buildings and also did not charge money from pilgrims for meals,” he added.

He said 450 people including 145 doctors performed their duties day and night in Hajj Medical Mission which provided free medicine and treated around 155,000 pilgrims.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2014.