JEDDAH — An increased number of Pakistani pilgrims may come to perform Haj, Pakistan’s Federal Religious Affairs Minister Muhammad Ejazul Haq told a press conference here yesterday.
“As per the rule we can claim that our Haj quota be raised to 180,000 this time, 30,000 more than last year, but we’ll be happy with 10,000 more.”
The minister, who earlier in the day held meetings with Minister of Haj Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy and officials of various related agencies, said his country had plans to further streamline the transport of pilgrims for both Haj and Umrah. “Fifty percent of our Haj pilgrims will come through the government channel and the rest through tour operators.”
Like last year, some Haj pilgrims will fly directly to Madinah and return home via Jeddah, he said referring to the arrangements being made by the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
PIA and Saudi Arabian Airlines will jointly work out a schedule for bringing in the pilgrims. “We’ve advised PIA to apply for (aircraft landing) slots (at the Haj Terminal) right now and try to increase them by 30 percent. This will considerably facilitate the turnaround of Haj carriers,” Ejaz said.
Since some of the buildings around the Holy Haram have been demolished or are in the process of demolition, pilgrims would have to stay a little further away than they did during the last Haj. “They will be staying 1,100 meters to 1,500 meters away,” he said.
About the issue of overstayers among his country’s Umrah pilgrims, the minister said both countries would have to tackle the issue with their respective agents and tour operators. On average 350,000 Umrah pilgrims come here from Pakistan. Last year, about 100,000 pilgrims overstayed, he said.
Referring to the restriction imposed by the Kingdom on Umrah visas to pilgrims below 40 years of age, the minister said that this issue also figured in his discussion with the Ministry of Haj officials.
The minister had earlier discussed the reasons leading to the imposition of age restriction on visa applicants during his meetings with Umrah operators back home.
“I urged them to be vigilant in order to restrict the disappearance of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia as it gave Pakistan a bad reputation,” he said, adding that suggestions aiming to regulate the activities of Umrah operators in Pakistan were also discussed in those meetings.
He blamed the unscrupulous elements among Pakistani Umrah operators for tarnishing the country’s image by sending labor for employment on the pretext of Umrah.
