ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Aneeq Ahmed Friday said that all possible facilities will be provided to Pakistani pilgrims during this year’s Hajj, where special training programs were also conducted at the district level through camps managed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
In an exclusive interview to PTV news channel, he said that special catering companies have been arranged under the supervision of Pakistan Hajj Mission to feed the pilgrims as per the government scheme and ensure quality and safety standards at every step.
The minister said that this year Pakistan’s Hajj Mission is offering simplified transport services to Pakistani pilgrims with standard buses ensuring round-the-clock service, adding that the transport department will fully devote itself to the sacred duty.
Comprehensive traffic guidelines have also been issued in each building, he added.
The caretaker government has introduced several new services for pilgrims to help them perform the rituals comfortably and easily, he mentioned.
A monitoring cell has been set up to closely monitor and address any potential problems of private pilgrims, he said, adding that various other specialized units like wheelchair counter have been set up to cater to the specific needs of different groups of people. pilgrims.
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Responding to a question, he said that in a bid to improve the Hajj pilgrimage experience for travelers in 2024, the Federal Government has also unveiled a comprehensive update to the Hajj package, adding that for the first time in history, the government has introduced a shorter 20 to 25-day Hajj program in which we will provide pilgrims with a more concise and a more efficient experience.
The change is expected to make the pilgrimage more accessible to a wider range of people, he added.
Each pilgrim will also receive a specially designed bag with Pakistan flag, QR code for easy identification and relevant information, he said.
In a move towards greater administrative efficiency, the government has launched a dedicated mobile application for online registration of Hajj applications, he said, adding that the application simplifies the administrative aspects of the pilgrimage, making it easier for pilgrims to apply and manage their journey. .
To another question, Aneeq said that each pilgrim will get a free mobile SIM card from a Saudi company that will have 180 minutes of international calls.
He further said that the caretaker government has reduced the price of the official Hajj package by Rs 0.1 million and added that Hajj is more affordable this year compared to last year.
He also appealed to all the pilgrims that all the officials of Pakistan should show utmost restraint and decent behavior as there will be Muslims from all corners of the world.
