The federal cabinet on Thursday approved the Hajj policy 2019, deciding against a subsidy for Hajjis.
During the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, it was decided that no compromise would be made on facilities. There will be one supervisor for the entire Hajj process which will be monitored personally by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The cabinet was briefed on the Hajj policy and informed that 184,210 Pakistanis would perform Hajj this year. Applications would be accepted from 20 February, and 60 per cent of the quota would be given to the government and the remaining to private operators.
People 80 years and above will be able to perform Hajj without the need to enter a draw. People who have been unsuccessful for three consecutive years will also not be required to enter the draw.
Hajj expenses for the northern zone would be Rs436,975 and for the southern zone would be Rs427,975.
Some of the facilities which will be provided include direct Hajj flights from Quetta and biometrics being available in far-flung areas.
New visa policy approved
The cabinet was also briefed on the new visa relaxation policy by the interior secretary, which was approved.
Under the new policy, citizens of 50 countries will be given visa-on-arrival in Pakistan, will e-visa facility will be provided to several other countries. The cabinet was briefed that under the new policy, Pakistan would relax visas for 190 countries.
Following Prime Minister Imran Khan’s directives Mayalasia has also been included in the new visa policy.
