Government contemplates Hajj stipend but cautions pilgrims of impending “problems”

pilgrims

ISLAMABAD: Senator Talha Mahmood, the federal minister for religious affairs, expressed the hope that the government may provide a subsidy to the intending Hajjis but forewarned the pilgrims that they might run into "problems" while on the journey.

In an interview with a private television network on Sunday, Mahmood said that the pricey Hajj might be considerably less expensive, but to do so, expenses would need to be reduced.

Further, Mahmood declared, “If God gives me another chance, the Hajj will be carried out flawlessly the following year. However, the Hajj plan currently has many flaws, so our policy is incorrect.

The minister expressed dissatisfaction with the Aviation Ministry’s strategy, saying that “PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) wants the government to use its service for transportation of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia but I am not satisfied.”
According to him, the PIA aircraft he used to fly to Saudi Arabia recently for Hajj arrangements was nearly two hours late, and even on the way back, it was an hour late. He said, “The chairs were likewise not comfy.

pilgrims

He continued, saying that even the Saudi civil aviation department was not pleased with PIA’s performance.

In response to a query, Mahmood stated that he will not get any pay from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. never desired a government salary.
Mahmood had earlier stated during a news conference on Saturday in Islamabad that 180,000 pilgrims will undertake the Hajj this year, and the first Hajj flight would leave on May 20 or May 21.

He had issued a warning that private Hajj operators who broke their promises would face punishment. Additionally, he had mentioned that the arrangements would be finished during Ramadan. Although I am unable to plan the perfect Hajj, I will unquestionably make an effort to lessen the suffering of the general public while they are on their pilgrimage, he continued.

"There were no plans at all when I took over running the Ministry. I had to leave for Saudi Arabia right away, and the Hajj operation is now underway. Up to 34,000 pilgrims crossed under the They were comparing the plans for this year's Hajj to those for 2019 after he predicted 180,000 pilgrims would travel for the pilgrimage. "The arrangements still don't satisfy me, and I might need to travel back to Saudi Arabia. I am optimistic that the problems will be overcome," he had stated.

All Khuddam-ul-Hajj who refuse to perform their duties will have their TA/DA withheld for three days, the minister had stated.

They will be expelled in the subsequent phase. If the oaths we took to the pilgrims are not kept, I’ll see to it that they are likewise blacklisted,” he had said.

In addition, he had indicated that violators of their obligations would also face fines.