A senior aide from the Pakistani government recently said the remittances of expatriates to the country’s national coffers are the lifeline of its economy.

Sardar Mohammad Yusuf, Pakistan’s federal minister for religious affairs and Haj, was speaking at a reception in Riyadh.

Prominent community leader Sheikh Saeed organized the dinner, which was also attended by Ambassador Naeem Khan.

The visiting minister has signed Haj pilgrimage agreement with Saudi Haj Minister Bandar Al-Hajjar in Jeddah last week. Speaking on the occasion, the minister thanked his countrymen for their contributions to the country. Speaking about the upcoming Haj season, he said that the new Haj policy focuses on providing pilgrims with the best services.

“Last year’s Haj ended on a satisfactory note and we hope this year it will be a better experience for our pilgrims,” he said.

Commenting on the current affairs in the country, he said that he was satisfied with the fact that for the first time in the history of Pakistan, power transition took place smoothly from one civilian government to the other. He also praised the politicians for their positive role in this regard.

The minister highlighted various “positive developments taken place under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.”

“We have been able to obtain a consensus on major issues facing the nation,” he said.

Ambassador Khan said, “I am sure under the leadership of the minister, the upcoming Haj season will be better and more beneficial to our pilgrims.”