Minister for Religious Affairs Senator and Interfaith Harmony Talha Mahmood announced on Sunday that the federal government will bear the expenses of the sacrificial animals during Hajj this year. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the minister emphasized that the government is taking all-out steps to provide maximum facilities to intending pilgrims for Hajj.
A total of 185,000 intending pilgrims from Pakistan will be performing the religious ritual this year. Minister Talha Mahmood stated that the expenditures related to sacrificing animals are included in the Hajj expenses, relieving the intending pilgrims from incurring additional costs in this regard. He also mentioned that the rise in Hajj expenditures this year is due to the devaluation of the Pakistani rupee, and a comprehensive breakdown of the full Hajj costs will be shared with the nation soon.
Regarding the Road to Makkah project, the minister specified that currently only Islamabad airport is authorized for this facility, and intending pilgrims leaving from the federal capital will be facilitated through it. Immigration for 26,000 intending pilgrims will be conducted from Islamabad airport.
Minister Talha Mahmood highlighted the mandatory nature of Hajj training for all intending pilgrims and emphasized that attendance is crucial to avoid any issues at the airport while proceeding to Saudi Arabia for the sacred obligation. These training sessions have been designed to help intending pilgrims perform the Hajj rites more appropriately.
