Pakistan details its Haj preparations

Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Mohammed Yousaf on Tuesday briefed Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar on his country's plans for this year's pilgrimage.
During his meeting with Hajjar at his office here Wednesday, Yousaf outlined the expenses incurred by the Pakistan government for Haj logistics and transport requirements.
Yousaf also conveyed greetings from Pakistan Prime Minister Mohammed Nawaz Sharif. Hajjar accepted Yousaf's invitation to visit Pakistan after Haj this year.
Yousaf was accompanied by Ambassador Mohammed Naeem Khan and Syed Ahmed Abu Aakif, director general of Haj.
Yousaf praised the Saudi government and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for efforts to improve services for pilgrims.
Hajjar said the expansion of the mataf (the circumambulation area around the Kaaba) would increase its current capacity of around 48,000 pilgrims an hour to around 150,000.
He said the ministry would give him a video on the expansion over the coming years. He suggested showing the video to Pakistani pilgrims to improve their awareness of the subject.