The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has released the first tranche of $50 million to the Pakistani Hajj Mission in Saudi Arabia for the Govt Hajj scheme 2023, well-informed sources said. As per sources within the Ministry of religious affairs, the government was asked to provide $213 million for the Hajj scheme. The SBP sources said that the amount of $213 million will be given to the Ministry of religious affairs in four installments within three to four days. The finance ministry has also released a second tranche of $40 million to the State Bank of Pakistan. The amount of $213 million is being given to the ministry for the fares of airlines, residence, transport and other taxes of the pilgrims performing Hajj this year under govt scheme.

The quota of 89,605 pilgrims willing to perform Hajj under govt quota was fixed by the incumbent government for this year but the ministry received around 80,000 applications. On Wednesday, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood was briefed that the first Hajj flight would take off on May 20, from Pakistan. Secretary Religious Affairs Aftab Akbar Durrani while briefing the minister, informed that the Hajj fight operation would likely to be concluded on June 21.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP