Hajj 2023 expenditure increased by almost 200% in 3 years

Javed Ullah Raja
Hajj is the fifth and most important part of the religion of Islam. Hajj is a sacred duty and it is obligatory upon every Muslim who is wealthy and healthy once in a lifetime. This year, many new initiatives have been taken by the Saudi government for pilgrims. The details of which are as: The old Hajj quota has been restored by the Saudi Arabian government for Pakistanis. It was reduced due to the previous Corona epidemic. The age limit of 65 years for Hajj this year has also been abolished. It has been confirmed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Pakistan that the draft of the annual Hajj agreement has been received by the Saudi authorities. According to this the old quota of 179 thousand 210 Hajj pilgrims has been restored and the upper age limit of 65 years has been abolished. Earlier, the 4-day international Hajj conference was held at the invitation of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj. The Federal Minister of Religious Affairs, Mufti Abdul Shakoor attended the conference. Where he met with many important figures including his Saudi counterpart Dr. Tawfiq bin Al-Rabi’ah. Delegations from 19 countries including Pakistan, India, and Iran signed Hajj agreements. Among those who signed the Hajj agreement were Turkey, Sudan, Yemen, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, and Bahrain are also included. In the agreement, all matters including the total number of pilgrims, arrival, and departure schedule has been finalized. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has said that the restrictions of Covid-19 have been lifted in the 2023 Hajj season. According to the report of informed sources, the government of Pakistan has decided to give a special discount to those who deposit money in dollars this year. The important points of the proposed Hajj Policy 2023 have been revealed. It has been decided to allocate 25% quota of the government Hajj scheme for those who deposit cost of Hajj in shape of dollars. While there will be a draw for the remaining pilgrims. This time the quota of private tour operators has also been increased from 40% to 50%. The first Hajj flight from Pakistan will depart on May 21st and the last flight is scheduled for June 22nd. While the first flight from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan will return on July 2nd at the end of Hajj rituals. And the last flight will return on August 2nd. Hajj pilgrims will be provided with private transportation from the airport by the Saudi authorities. The Hajj Ministry says that Hajj package money can be withdrawn as per the established policy. Until May 2023, the full amount paid for the Hajj package will be refunded. However, in case of refusal to issue the Hajj permit, the service fee will be deducted from the amount paid and the remaining amount will be paid. The Ministry of Hajj also says that from May 5th to June 18th, 2023 the amount will be paid after deducting the e-service fee and 10% of the package amount will also be deducted. No part of the amount paid for the Hajj package from June,2023 will be refunded Those injured in accidents to the extent of being unable to perform Hajj will be exempted. They will be refunded, the full amount of the Hajj package. The Ministry of Religious Affairs says that after May 4th, 2023, candidates suffering from the corona virus will also be able to get back the amount of the Hajj package. This year, according to the Ministry of Hajj on behalf of the Saudi government, persons holding Visit, Tourist, or Employment visas can also perform Umrah without any restrictions. In addition, any airport in Saudi Arabia can be used for arrival and departure. There will be no restrictions on arrival, Umrah, pilgrimages to holy places, and travel to tourist areas. According to the announcement of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Hajj Policy 2023, 179,210 Pakistanis will be blessed with obligatory Hajj this year. And under the official scheme, the Hajj package will be up to 11 lakh 75 thousand rupees. Giving the estimate of the full expenses of Hajj 2023, the minister said that the northern region of Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, Faisalabad, Rahim Yar Khan, and Sialkot, the Hajj package will be worth 11 lakh 75 thousand rupees, which is approximately 4 thousand 325 dollars, whereas, for the sponsorship Hajj scheme (northern region), it is estimated to be 4,325 dollars, while the Hajj package for the southern region, which includes Karachi, Quetta and Sukkur, will be worth 11 lakh 65 thousand rupees. And through 14 designated banks, the collection of Hajj applications has been started from March 15th, 2023 to 31st March, 2023. The announcement of the draw is expected in the first week of April. He clarified some points and said that in case of savings from the said Hajj package, the money will be returned to the Hajj pilgrims through the bank account provided by them. At this time, the rising tide of inflation has increased more than last year. In the last two years, the cost of Hajj has increased manifold. Just three years ago, in 2020, the total cost of Hajj was 463,445 Pakistani rupees. And in 2021, it was around 490,000 Pakistani rupees. Now the total Hajj expenditure has reached Rs 1175000 this time. If compared to the last three years, it becomes about 200 times increase is astonishing in the country. Our country is an Islamic state. Among the countries of the world, most people travel to the Holy country to perform Hajj and Umrah. While the relatively Hajj Umrah is expensive from Pakistan as per deficit of Pak rupees. As in the increasing inflation, 11 lacks 75 thousand rupees are being charged for Hajj expenses this year. Due to this, the common man has lost the dream of fulfilling the important duty of Hajj. In the provinces of Baluchistan and K. P. K, The majority of the population of the districts consists of religious minded. The occupation of the people of these areas is nothing but agriculture. With these limited resources, every individual wishes to visit the holly cities of Macca and Madina. These people keep collecting money to pay for Hajj and Umrah all their lives. The current value of the rupee has fallen so much against the dollar that the total cost of Hajj has more than doubled. While this time the expenses of Hajj have reached 11 lakh 75 thousand rupees. Those people whose entire life savings are spent to perform for Hajj and Umrah. How will they be able to fulfill this Saadat this year? There was a time when people from all over the world and from our country also travel for Hajj by bus and ship. This was relatively cheap, and affordable for every class of society. Jeddah, the sea voyage was the main means of travel for Hajj. In 1995 MV Akbari, the ship used on the route, was discontinued. In the fast-developing world where every kind of convenience is being taken advantage of, but still, the attention paid to the convenience of traveling by ship is very minimal. Hajj Umrah by ships has not been paid attention to again. Because sea travel was relatively less expensive than air travel, and was an affordable means of travel for all classes of people. For low-income Muslim countries, their implementation is time-consuming. Many times in Pakistan, governments have considered for the sake of Hajj and Umrah by ships. But till today no progress has come out on it. Even today, a large number of people are waiting for this and staring at the government. That Hajj and Umrah travel by ships and by road will be made active. By which a large number of pilgrims will benefit from the attendance of the visits of Allah and the Holy Prophet (pbuh) places. Hajj Umrah should be resumed by sea routes. . So that more and more people can perform Hajj Umrah. This will help people in fulfilling their duties from the government. Rather, the spirit of serving the religion will also be driven by the government. The government is requested to be positive in this regard.