Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has announced to refund over three billion rupees, saved from last year's Hajj expenditure, to pilgrims.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad today, he said the refund amount ranging from twelve thousand rupees to one hundred and ten thousand rupees to each pilgrim, depending on his category. He said the process of refunding the amount to over sixty-six thousand pilgrims will be completed by the end of this month.
Highlighting government's cost effective efforts for the upcoming Hajj, he said expenditure of the long Hajj package covering forty days has been fixed at 1.15 million rupees, while the short Hajj package covering twenty-five days will cost 1.2 million rupees.
Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the intending pilgrims, under the government scheme, will receive essential travel items, including a large trolley bag, a hand carry bag, and a scarf for women. Additionally, a Saudi Arabian mobile phone SIM will be provided to facilitate easy communication.
The Minister highlighted that an additional quota of thirty thousand has been allocated to the Government Hajj Scheme for this year. He advised the intending pilgrims to deposit the second installment of their Hajj dues in designated banks from 3rd to 15th of next month.