ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony Pir Amin-ul-Hasnat Monday informed the National Assembly that the present government has reduced Hajj expenditures by Rs 75,000 to provide relief to the Hujjaj.
During question hour in the house, the minister said that in 2013 the Hajj expenditure was Rs 3, 25,000 and the present government had reduced it to Rs 2,64,000.
The minister said that Hajj facilities being offered to Pakistani Hujjaj are not only inexpensive but also better as compared to other Islamic countries including Iran, Turkey and Indonesia.
He said that it was not a fact that Private Tour Hajj Operators (PHTOs) charged extra amount from pilgrims every year.
Every operator was bound to execute an agreement with each pilgrim by indicating amount of the package and detail facilities to be provided.
Amin ul Hasnat said that in case of any deviation from the Service Provider Agreement (SPA) and individual agreement, sever punishment like fine, cut in their quota or suspension of quota are awarded to them.
The minister said that for the Hujjaj who opted from Qurbani through Islamic Development Bank, an extra amount Rs 14,500 per pilgrim was received from them.
Amin ul Hasnat said that under the National Action Plan (NAP) action has also been taken against those misusing the loudspeaker.
“A National Committee on Sectarian Harmony has been set up in the Ministry, whose main aim is to eliminate all kind of prejudices and differences among different sects and to create harmony among them,” he added.
Source: APP
