Minister of Religious Affairs Senator Talha Mehmood said that Pakistan will start Hajj flights operation 2023 from May 21.
He said flights will start from May 21 to take Hajj pilgrims to Haramain Sharifain.
At a press conference in Islamabad, Senator Talha stated that the government would cover the cost of the sacrifice on behalf of the pilgrims under the government program.
The first Hajj flight, according to him, will leave Karachi and Islamabad on May 21.
“The cost of the sacrifice is about Rs53,000 rupees, which has been included in the Hajj expenses,” he added.
Meanwhile, All 36,000 pilgrims under regular, sponsorship schemes to perform Hajj 2023 without balloting. Although, Pakistan’s quota for Hajj this year is 179,000, but due to the ‘extraordinary increase’ in Hajj expenses, the number of Hajj aspirants submitting applications has been significantly dropped amid record inflation.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs contacted the Ministry of Finance and asked additional $235 million to send pilgrims on Hajj.
