MINISTRY of Religious Affairs informed a Sub-Committee of the National Assembly on Religious Affairs on Tuesday that Prime Minister Imran Khan has given nod for preparing a three-year Hajj Policy and consultations in this regard have been started with the Law Ministry.
Indeed, the idea has been envisaged with the purpose to provide better facilities and put in place better arrangements for the pilgrims both in Makkah and Madina. Currently the Hajj Policy is announced every year which makes it difficult for the officials of the Ministry to ensure its proper implementation due to variety of reasons especially the lack of time. In this context, we really appreciate the initiative of Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri for coming up with such a novel idea and we expect that all pros and cons of the policy will be well deliberated and considered before giving it a final approval. As has been reported, under the policy, buildings and catering services would be hired for three years. Certainly, this will enable the Ministry of Religious Affairs to hire cheap accommodation for the pilgrims both in Makkah and Madina. But as regards balloting is concerned, we understand this should be carried out on an annual basis and dues should also be taken from the pilgrims in the year they are selected to perform the pilgrimage. Three year is quite a long period and carrying out balloting for the whole period and starting the collection of dues from the pilgrims which are selected to perform Hajj in the third year will not only raise a lot of questions but also complications for the Ministry of Religious Affairs. From its own resources, the government may establish a Hajj Fund to hire the buildings for three years. Whilst the pilgrims of this year really appreciate the arrangements put in place for them in Makkah and Madina, there is need to further improve them in cooperation with the Saudi authorities. Consultations should be started with the Saudi authorities in order to extend the Road to Makkah project to other cities as well.
