PM promises cut in Hajj air fare

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday promised that the government will review the Hajj airfare for pilgrims and try to reduce it as much as possible.

Speaking in the Senate, he said that given the dire economic situation the current budget is the best possible one presented. He said he has instructed the finance minister to take into account the budget proposals given by the Senate and accommodate them where possible. He said running a coalition government requires an inclusive approach and all government partners should work together. Meanwhile, addressing the National Assembly the premier assured families of the stranded Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan of their safe return. “I would like to assure the disturbed families of the students that the government will do its utmost to get them safely back home on an immediate basis,” the premier said in the National Assembly. “We have taken serious note of the issue and tasked NDMA in coordination with the foreign affairs to assure the safe return of the 269 Pakistani students as well as the body of the deceased student from the city of Osh,” he added.

Gilani said he has further directed the authorities to clear all bottlenecks to speed up the process of repatriation. He said on the directions of the government, NDMA is flying three C-130 aircraft “today and tomorrow to bring back the stranded students and the first flight has already left for Osh today (Monday)”. The aircraft will be carrying seven tons of blanket and tents with seven tons of food and medicine on the request of the Kyrgyz government which will be handed over to the authorities there. (with additional input from agencies)

Published  in the Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2010.