Advertisement
Categories: News

Pakistan Surrenders Unutilized Hajj Sponsorship Scheme Quota to Saudi Arabia

Advertisement

Pakistan has decided to surrender a significant portion of its Hajj sponsorship scheme quota to Saudi Arabia this year as the number of applications fell short of the available seats.

The government had allocated 25,000 seats in the ‘Sponsorship Scheme Hajj’, which allows overseas Pakistanis to apply for Hajj or sponsor someone in Pakistan for the journey by paying in US dollars. However, only 4,000 applications were received against the allocated quota of 25,000. The unutilized 21,000 quota will be returned to Saudi Arabia.

While the government received 69,438 applications in the regular Hajj scheme, 5,633 applicants were declared unsuccessful in the draw. Instead of accommodating these unsuccessful applicants through the government’s regular scheme, sources claim that the government opted to refund the amount.

Saudi Arabia had previously restored Pakistan’s pre-coronavirus Hajj quota to 179,210 pilgrims, and the upper age limit of 65 years was lifted for performing the pilgrimage. Despite efforts to reduce Hajj expenses and introduce short-term Hajj facilities, the number of applications has dropped this year.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony had to return a significant quota to Saudi Arabia last year due to a decrease in Hajj pilgrims.

The government introduced various packages to attract pilgrims, including both long and short-term options. Additionally, women can now undertake the sacred journey without the traditional requirement of a male companion, and the government will provide free-of-cost mobile SIMs with roaming internet packages.

Advertisement
Raheel J.M

Raheel, a Karachi-based reporter, is at the forefront of political journalism, providing insightful coverage that transcends the bustling landscape of Pakistan's political sphere. With an unwavering commitment to delivering accurate and comprehensive news, Raheel's work is marked by a keen understanding of the intricate dynamics shaping the political landscape.

Recent Posts

Hasan Nawaz Declared Bankrupt by UK High Court

Hasan Nawaz, son of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has been declared bankrupt by…

10 hours ago

Kisan Ittehad Announces Nationwide Protests in December Against Agricultural Tax

Pakistan Kisan Ittehad, led by its president Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, has announced a nationwide protest…

15 hours ago

Cold and Dry Weather Predicted Across Pakistan

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted cold and dry weather across most parts of…

16 hours ago

PTA Simplifies VPN Registration for Organisations and Freelancers

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced a streamlined process for registering virtual private networks…

16 hours ago

Sindh High Court Halts Alleged Illegal Grade-16 Appointments

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has restrained the College Education Department from proceeding with alleged…

2 days ago

IMF Urges Pakistan to Strictly Follow Loan Program Goals

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has emphasized the importance of Pakistan strictly implementing the targets…

2 days ago