Religious Ministry Plans To Regulate Umrah Activities

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Augst,2016) : Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony is planning to regulate Umrah activities besides decreasing Umrah expenses. According to sources in the ministry, a draft Hajj and Umrah Services Management Bill, 2016 has already been submitted to Cabinet Division for approval.

According to sources, currently Umrah is a deregulated operation and cost of Umrah is determined on package to package basis in the light of Contract/Agreement made between the tour Operators and Umrah Companies of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This Ministry has no role to decrease/increase the expenses of Umrah. Draft laws aims to provide a regulatory mechanism for Hajj and Umrah Organizers /Operators to potect the interests of Umrah pilgrims.

The draft bill proposes registration of tour operators with religious ministry along with strict punishment for violators deceiving the innocents.