Ministry-Quota ISALAMABAD

(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21th july, 2016) Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf told National Assembly Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Government Hajj package has been reduced from Rs 321,000 to Rs 261,000 and Rs 271,000. A total of 71,684 lucky persons would perform Hajj under Government Scheme. Last year the ministry had returned over Rs 29,000 to each Hujjaj.

This year the remaining amount would also be returned to the pilgrims. Hujjaj would be provided three time meal this year, he said adding that. Hajj Advisory Committee has been mandated to take notice of any issue being confronted by pilgrims during Hajj 2016.

This year 52 percent pilgrims of government scheme would directly land to Madina Munawwara. A total of 139 buildings have been hired for providing residential facilities to government scheme hujjaj. He said strict monitoring of 742 Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs) would be ensured.

The violators of agreement with private pilgrims would be punished.

MNA Ali Muhammad said the quota of HGOs should be decreased upto 30 percent. The committee directed the ministry to decrease the exorbitant air cooler charges of 150 Riyals. The committee meeting was attended by MNAs Shahida Akhtar Ali, Shagufta Jumani, Ali Muhammad Khan, Sahibzada Muhammad Yaqoob, Malik Abdul Ghaffar Dogar, Lal Chand Malhi, Ramesh Kumar, Bhagwan Das, Moulvi Agha Muhammad, Pir Bakhsh Junejo, Syed Amir Ali Shah Jamot and Syed Imran Ahmed Shah and officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony attended the meeting. The committee unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the Indian atrocities in Indian Held Kashmir against unarmed innocent Kashmiris who are demanding their just right to self determination. The committee also condemned bomb blast at Masjid-e-Nabvi.