Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri has said that this year’s Hajj programme would be decided until 15th of Ramazan.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Qadri said that the Ministry of Religious Affairs is in constant touch with the Saudi Hajj authorities over the matter. He said that the Saudi Hajj Ministry restrained the Pakistan ministry from singing any Hajj contracts. He said that the Saudi government kept an eye on the coronavirus situation.

Qadri said that the Saudi government was considering various options for allowing Hajj proceedings this year including only Saudis would be allowed to perform Hajj; Gulf countries would be given Hajj permission; Hajj quota for all the countries would be squeezed to 10 percent.

“Pakistan will finalise its decision after consulting the Saudi government,” said the minister.

The minister said that the Hajj remained suspended completely or partially for 40 times in the Islamic history. “I feel that it could be performed if the current situation improves,” Qadri concluded.