Religious Affairs Minister Talha says no to VIP Hajj for parliamentarians
ISLAMABAD: Religious Affairs Minister Senator Talha Mahmood has refused to offer VIP Hajj facilities to Parliamentarians.
Responding to questions in the National Assembly, Senator Talha said, “The facilities that will be provided to the common Hujjaj will also be provided to the MPs.”
He said, “I have clearly said that no one will perform Hajj for free, neither ministers nor parliamentarians under the VIP protocol.”
Minister for Religious Affairs warned the officials of the ministry of the serious consequences who were found guilty of theft in Saudi Arabia during Hajj.
He further said, “Zamzam water will be provided free of cost to Hajj pilgrims, but the Saudi government will only charge money for its packaging.”
Minister also said that the ministry was hiring buildings at reduced cost in comparison with 2019.
In 2019, Pakistan paid 2,600 riyals and now the ministry was paying 1,900 to 2,300 riyals for getting on rent the same buildings for Hajj pilgrims.
Talha Mahmood said that against a quota of 179,210 Hajj pilgrims, the government received only 72,800 applications under the government Hajj scheme.
“All the applications have been accepted and the applicants were being sent for Hajj.”
Minister also told the National Assembly that the ministry had to surrender a quota of 8,000.
“If we don’t surrender, we will have to pay for accommodation, food, transport, and other expenses of 8,000 pilgrims,” he added.
Senator Talha Mahmood said that performing Hajj is a sacred mission and the members of the Parliament must not expect VIP treatment during Hajj
