The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued an important announcement for pilgrims who opt for private Hajj packages costing more than 3 million rupees. These packages will now require mandatory security clearance before approval.
Under the new policy, the details of such pilgrims will be sent to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for verification. The FBR will assess their financial assets and tax records to ensure compliance, while security agencies will review their criminal and other background records. Only after receiving clearance will pilgrims be allowed to proceed with Hajj.
Additionally, companies offering packages above 3 million rupees will need to provide detailed information about their services. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will review and approve these packages to maintain transparency.
To oversee this process, the ministry has appointed Muhammad Hakeem Khattak as the focal person. He will ensure the smooth implementation of these new guidelines.
In related updates, the ministry has received 84,620 applications for government-organized Hajj under limited seat availability. Once the quota is filled, applications will no longer be accepted.
To assist pilgrims, mandatory Hajj training sessions have been announced. These sessions are crucial to ensure that pilgrims are well-prepared for the rituals. Pilgrims are required to attend at least two training sessions. For overseas Pakistanis, these sessions will take place at Haji Camps before their flights.
Pilgrims are encouraged to participate in training sessions held in their local areas and reach out to Hajj helplines or Haji Camps for additional support. The schedule for these training sessions has been made available on the Pak Hajj mobile app for convenience.
These measures aim to improve the Hajj experience, enhance security, and ensure transparency for all involved.
