Govt to refund Hajj pilgrims up to Rs100,000

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain announced on Tuesday that Pakistani pilgrims who performed Hajj last year will get a refund ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 100,000. The minister made the announcement at a press conference along with the Additional Secretary for Religious Affairs.

Hussain said the government is committed to providing the best possible facilities to Hajj pilgrims and there has been no increase in Hajj expenses this year. He stressed that Pakistan offers the cheapest Hajj packages in the world considering the current exchange rate of the dollar.

The Additional Secretary provided details of the refund, saying that the amount varies depending on individual circumstances. While a small percentage (3%) of pilgrims will get Rs 140,000, a larger portion (23%) will receive Rs 75,000. Another 3,000 pilgrims will get Rs 50,000. The Additional Secretary confirmed that the refunds will start coming into the accounts of pilgrims by Friday.

The minister further clarified that the cost of the Hajj package this year is between Rs 1,050,000 and Rs 1,175,000, which is a reduction of Rs 25,000 per person compared to the initial announcement last year. He added that the official Hajj quota has now been completed and no more applications will be accepted, however, the facilities of the hardship quota are there. Hussain also appreciated the cooperation received from Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.