Ishaq Dar assures Hajj pilgrims of govt's full support

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday vowed to extend maximum support and cooperation for facilitating the Hajjis to make the religious event successful.

The minister chaired a meeting on Hajj Policy-2023 which was attended by Mufti Abdul Shakoor, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, Special Secretary of Finance and senior officers from Finance and Religious Affairs ministries were among the attendees.

The meeting was apprised of the Hajj-2023 policy. It was informed that more than 179,000 Pakistanis were expected to perform Hajj this year.

Religious Affairs minister informed the finance minister about certain issues related to foreign exchange and sought his support.

“Hajj is a sacred religious obligation to be performed by every Muslim and we have to contribute our part for the blessings of Almighty Allah,” said Dar.

The minister committed to extending maximum support and cooperation in facilitating the Hajjis to make the religious event successful. Minister for Religious Affairs thanked the finance minister for cooperation and support.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced fares for the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage.

According to the notification, the national flag carrier — Pakistan International Airline (PIA) — will begin pre-Hajj operations from June 6 till May 21.

For the first time in history, the national flag carrier will charge fares in US dollars from private Hajj pilgrims. The PIA has set $1180 fare for private Hajj pilgrims.