Expenses for Hajj have increased once again, as the Religious Affairs Minister has increased the package by Rs350,000.
Global inflation and increase in the cost of food along with inflated accommodation rates have become the main reason.
In Pakistan this year, the official Hajj expenditure has jumped to over Rs1.175 million, while it was Rs826,000 the last time. Not only this, the pilgrims will have to pay the sacrificial animal cost separately. Last year, the necessary Hajj expenditures were Rs300,000, which has risen by Rs56,000 this year. The visa charge has increased from Rs16,000 to Rs22,275, and flight by Rs70,000 to Rs250,000.
Also, pilgrims’ meal and drink costs have soared by 100%. The cost of food and drink for 38 days last year was Rs53,440, which will be more over Rs100,000 this year.
The cost of lodging has also climbed by 70%. Rents in Makkah have risen by around Rs82,000, while those in Madinah have risen by approximately Rs41,000.
The cost of transportation for Hajj pilgrims has risen from Rs61,000 to Rs112,000.
The Hajj package also includes a train price of Rs43, 882, and the Zam Zam water tariffs are Rs1,100 rather than Rs721. A fee of Rs12,000 is also levied for medications.
Applications to also be collected on weekends
Meanwhile, in order to facilitate Hajj pilgrims, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced that specific bank branches will receive applications on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) also.
More than 26,000 applications have been received by banks till March 22, as per the ministry.
The number of applicants, who are depositing the Hajj fee in dollars, rose to over 2,000.
The ministry further said submitting a vaccination certificate of complete doses is mandatory to be submitted to banks before departure. The ministry statement further stated that apart from Nadra, a foreign vaccine certificate will also be acceptable.
Intending pilgrims will also have to purchase the sacrificial animal coupon themselves in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
It is pertinent to note that the amount of a sacrificial animal can be up to 700 to 1000 riyals this year.
