Govt returns Rs55,000 to each pilgrim

Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood on Saturday announced that the ‘qurbani amount’ of Rs55,000 had been refunded in the bank account of each pilgrim going to perform Hajj under both the regular and sponsorship schemes.

Addressing a news conference, he advised the pilgrims going to perform Hajj under both the regular and sponsorship schemes to collect Rs55,000 from their respective banks before their departure for Hajj.

The minister explained that earlier it was decided that the ministry would arrange qurbani (sacrifice) for the pilgrims but due to delay in the decision, a majority of them had arranged this sacred rite on their own.

Talha advised the pilgrims to collect the refunded amount from their respective banks before their departure for Hajj, saying the money would not be reimbursed to them in Saudi Arabia.

He said the Saudi government-run qurbani booths would be available near government residences, providing a hassle-free process for purchasing the coupons.

“In the event of any issue or difficulty in acquiring the qurbani amount, a complaint could be lodged with the ministry’s accounts officer directly at 0519208552,” he added.

He said the first Hajj flight would take off from the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi at 0450 hours on Sunday.

The minister said this year more than 26,000 pilgrims would benefit from the ‘Road to Makkah’ project from the Islamabad International Airport, a notable increase from the 16,000 pilgrims served last year.

He said this efficient facility aimed at streamlining the immigration and customs procedures for the intending pilgrims departing from the federal capital, enabling them to swiftly embark on their spiritual journey.

He explained that the initiative would expedite the processing of pilgrims at the Saudi airport in order to minimise wait times, allowing them to proceed directly to their designated buses upon arrival.

He clarified that the provision of free Hajj would not be permitted, and instead, efforts were being made to provide comprehensive assistance to the pilgrims, including dedicated Hajj assistants to guide them throughout their journey.