Islamabad (Staff Report): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the opposition would raise the matter of increase in Hajj expenditure in the National Assembly.
Opposition leader in the National Assembly condemned the PTI-led government’s decision to abolish subsidy on Hajj, saying the government claimed to be aspiring after the state of Madinah but had instead made it difficult for the people to make the journey to Makkah and Madinah.
“The government has made it difficult for a common person to even think of performing Hajj,” he lamented.
The federal cabinet under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s chair on Thursday approved Hajj policy 2019.
Expenses for Hajj will be divided into two zones. Expenses for the northern zone would be Rs436,975 and for the southern zone would be Rs427,975. The government will provide Rs45,000 subsidy per Hajji.
Earlier the day, opposition parties in the Senate rejected the increase in Hajj expenses and Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of Jamaat-e-Islami presented a call to attention notice to address the issue.
Expressing disappointment over the abolition of subsidy and the new Hajj policy, the senator reminded the government of its promise to transform the country into an Islamic welfare state.
The government was also criticised for not providing any relief to the public and the senator added that the recent 62 per cent increase in the cost of Hajj has rendered it too expensive for most people.
