Transparency, Fairness Ensured In Balloting For Hajj-2018:Sardar Muhammad Yousuf

Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf Wednesday informed the National Assembly that the government had ensured transparency and fairness in balloting for Hajj-2018

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Mar, 2018 ) :Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf Wednesday informed the National Assembly that the government had ensured transparency and fairness in balloting for Hajj-2018.

During the question-hour, he clarified that there was no hajj quota for the Prime Minister, ministers and parliamentarians. This year, the minister said, as many as 3,75000 people had applied to perform the religious obligation under the government scheme.

As per the Hajj Policy 2018 approved by Cabinet, he said, as many as 179,210 pilgrims would perform the pilgrimage under both the government and private schemes. Out of the total Pakistan's Hajj quota, as many as 67 percent people will perform the hajj under government scheme, while 33 percent through private hajj group organizers.

He, however, said that the private hajj operators have moved the court against this decision. He assured the House that the court's decision with regard to allocation of quota would be implemented in letter and spirit.

He said the ministry would extend all possible facilities to intending pilgrims in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia during Hajj, terming the package under the government scheme 'most economical." He said majority of intending pilgrims were preferring to perform the religious obligation under the government scheme, keeping in view facilities being extended to the Hujjaj.