Hajj package for this year is going to increase up to Rs. 420,000 per person in 2019 under the government’s scheme.
According to the available sources, the government aims at securing a subsidy of Rs. 40,000 per person on Hajj expenses that, if approved, will cap the total cost at Rs. 380,000.
However, until the subsidy gets approved, the entire cost of this holy journey will be marked at Rs. 420,000 per person. Last year, the Hajj expenses for Pakistan’s southern and northern regions amounted to Rs. 270,000 and Rs. 280,000 apart from the separate charges valuing Rs. 13,050 for the animal sacrifice.
The probable reason for a rise in Hajj rates is the increased taxes levied by the Saudi government along with depreciating Pakistani Rupee against the US Dollar. Since December 2017, the Rupee has devalued by as much as Rs. 29 against USD when the last Hajj policy was announced.
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Moreover, the government will start accepting Hajj applications from January 20 till February 20, after obtaining the cabinet’s approval.
It is pertinent to mention here that KSA had increased the quota of Pakistani pilgrims for Hajj 2019 by 5000 in December 2018.
Under the new policy, over 184,000 pilgrims will perform the pilgrimage from Pakistan in 2019. The government also decided to include pilgrims from Pakistan in ‘Road to Makkah’ project in phases. At first, 35,000 pilgrims from Sindh will be part of this scheme.
The verification process and immigration of the pilgrims will be held at Karachi airport. As per the agreement, Pakistani pilgrims will be provided with e-visas.
Via: ARY