ISLAMABAD, Jul 19 (APP): Minister for Religious Affairs and
Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf Tuesday said the month long pre hajj flight operation would commence from August 4.
Talking to media, he said, PIA, Saudi Airline and Shaheen
International would participate in Hajj flight operation.
During first 15 days the Hajj flights would directly land to
Madina Munawwara. Fifty percent hujjaj would directly land in Madina Munawwara and provided residences in Markazia.
He said 139 buildings have so far been hired in Saudi Arabia
for government scheme hujjaj.
The training programmes for Hujjaj was continuing at various cities to enable them to perform the sacred religious ceremony in accordance with Sharia and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). Master trainers would continue training process in Makkah Mukarama.
The ministry has already finalised arrangements for Hajj and
the intending pilgrims would find Hajj 2016 more comfortable as comparing to facilities including transport, residence, etc provided last year. A committee has been constituted for monitoring 742 Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs).
The ministry set up modern tracking system and emergency
management system.
He said the victims of crane crash has yet not been paid
compensation from Saudi Arabia, however government was paying compensation to the heirs of the crane crash victims.
Responding to a question, he said hajj quota would be reviewed after detailed judgment of Supreme Court. Government has not contacted Saudi government for getting additional hajj quota of Iran.
He said only 5,000 applications were received in 2012. While
the applications were short by 1,000 from the required numbers in government hajj scheme in 2013.
PML N government after assuming powers 127,000 applications were received in 2014 as comparing to 170,000 in 2015 and 280,000 were received in 2016. All shows credibility of PML N government.
He said the government had not only decreased the hajj package but also initiated three day meal to hujjaj. Hajj package is Rs 261,000 and Rs 271,000 respectively.
Government had constituted Ulema and Mashaikh Council, having representation of all sects. Ministry had strived hard for same day observing Eid ul Fitr and starting Ramazan ul Mubarak.
The government had also evolved consensus over offering
prayers and Azan simultaneously, however the plan has not
implemented 100 percent.
He said a three day international interfaith harmony
conference would be convened very soon. A committee has also been constituted to preserve segregated pages of the holy Quran and ensure publication of error free Quran.
National Assembly Standing Committee has accorded approval for making the education of Quran essential.
