The federal cabinet on Tuesday gave the green light to the Hajj Policy 2025, paving the way for 179,210 Pakistani nationals to perform Hajj next year. As per the Policy, the Hajj quota will be split evenly between government and private schemes and those under 12 years of age will not be allowed to travel for Hajj, according to a PM Office press release. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was told that selection under the government scheme will be made through a computerised balloting. As per policy, 1,000 seats would be allocated for hardship cases and 300 for laborers and low-income employees registered under the Employees Old-Age Benefit Institution or Workers Welfare Fund. Under the policy, Road to Makkah facility would be available at Islamabad and Karachi international airports. The Hajj Group Organisers would sign a Service Provider Agreement with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which would be strictly monitored.

It was told that a new portfolio of Nazim (administrator) had been introduced to facilitate the pilgrims. One Nazim will be appointed for each 100 pilgrims, who would be selected from among the welfare staff. Under the policy, the compensation for the heirs of the deceased has been increased from Rs1 million to Rs2 million while the injured ones would be given Rs1 million. The cabinet members were told that a special Hajj Management App has been developed to facilitate the pilgrims and arrangements have been made for their training. The federal cabinet called for preference to the intended pilgrims who could not succeed during the last year’s balloting. The meeting also stressed the need for taking all-out measures for the facilitation of the pilgrims.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan