Updated on
Summary
The new Hajj policy was announced on Thursday by the Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi. Kazmi, while announcing the policy, said the government would start accepting Hajj applications from June 10, 2010 to June 25. The policy announcement was delayed on the request of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which was mulling over an increase in the airfares. The policy was finally announced after negotiations between with ministry and PIA officials. While declaring policy details, the minister said the Hajj package would cost an additional Rs 6,000. There will no more VIP Hajj flights from this year, he added. The new Hajj policy also implies some restrictions: Pilgrims who offered Hajj during the past five years cannot go for Hajj this year, except for those who are Hajj group leaders, performing the pilgrimage for someone else or are accompanying a Mehram who is offering Hajj for the first time. The minister told media representatives that Pakistan has requested the Saudi government for an additional 10,000 Hajj visas. In the case of receiving more requests than the assigned quota, the applicants would be selected via a draw.
