Senate opposition terms new Hajj policy 'a drone attack on pilgrims'

ISLAMABAD: Lambasting the steep hike in the new Hajj policy, opposition senators on Friday termed it as a “drone attack on pilgrims,” reported ARY News.

During the senate session, Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani directed Finance Minister Asad Umer to offer subsidy for the holy pilgrimage as the incumbent government assured to reconsider the policy for decrease in Hajj expenses.

It is pertinent to mention here that the government withdrew subsidy on the pilgrimage, increasing the expenses by Rs 176,000 for each pilgrim whereas the overall pilgrimage amounted to Rs 456,000.

Jamat-e-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmed termed the first Hajj Policy of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government as disappointing, adding that the government even turned down a subsidy demand of Rs. 45,000 from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The government pays 70% of Hajj expenses in advance to Saudia, which has enhanced travel, boarding and lodging expenses.

Explaining the government’s position on the matter, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Muhammad Khan revealed that the government pays 70% of Hajj expenses in advance to Saudi government which has enhanced travel, boarding and lodging expenses. “The previous Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz government had left the Hajj amount of 2017 unchanged in the election year.”

Earlier, the opposition senators staged a walk out from the house to protest against the absence of ministers and the government’s failure to table the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council bill in Senate.